Author Any untoward events Unusual characteristics of sample Intention to treat basis? Basic data described adequately Do the numbers add up Statistical methods described
Castro et al. 2003 [38] Protocol was amended in the trial because of severe side effects and 2 deaths related to treatment with CDDP/epi gel. Enclosure of tumors > 20 cm3 that invaded or were in close proximity to the carotid artery. All patients in at least 2nd recurrence 92% treated with ≥ 2 of: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy Not specified Yes, tabular Yes - Computer analysis
- Exact Clopper
-Pearson for confidence intervals
- Fisher's exact test-compare rates across patient groups
- Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel. For stratified comparisons
- MULTITEST- for P values
Georgiou et al. 2000 [39] None specified Final stage of the disease Not specified Yes, Graphically Yes - Computer analysis
- students t-test for statistical analysis of results
- ANOVA's for pain score
Jovic et al. 2008 [40] None specified 10% had histologically benign tumour Not specified Yes, tabular and graphically Yes Not mentioned
McNeely et al. 2004 [47] None specified None No Yes, tabular Yes - Computer analysis
- t-test for continuous data
- Chi-square for categorical data
- Independent sample t-tests for outcome comparison
McNeely et al. 2008 [27] One patient in PRET group had to leave the study due to pain considered to be a result of exercise Wide variety in time between surgery to entering the study Yes Yes, tabular Yes - Independent samples student t test for continuous data and person Chi-squared test for categorical data
Pfister et al. 2010 [48] None specified None Yes Yes, tabular Yes - Computer analysis
- Stata 9.2
- No details of specific tests
Plantevin et al. 2007 [41] None specified None Not specified Yes, tabular Yes - Computer analysis
- Mann-Whitney U test for comparison of groups
- Chi-squared for qualitative variables
- Tukey correction
Roussier et al. 2006 [42] None specified All patients chronic smokers with bronchitis Not specified Yes, tabular Yes - Computer analysis
- Fisher test for categorical data
- Mann-Whitney U test for VAS score, Fentanyl consumption and PCA demand
- Tukey correction
Saxena et al. 1994 [43] Large drop out Excluded for communication difficulties Not specified Yes, tabular Yes - t-test for mean reduction of pain score
- Chi-quared for comparison of groups
Singhal et al. 2006 [44] None specified None Yes Yes, graph and tabular Yes - Student t test assess statistical dose required
- Wilcoxon test for VAS pain scores
- Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons
- Two way ANOVA - for trend significance
Werner et al. 2002 [45] Large drop out Only most problematic tumours Yes Yes, tabular Yes - 2-tailed α test for power
- CMH for comparison of end points - Fisher analyses of strata
Wittekindt et al. 2006 [46] None specified All undergone conservative treatment for neck and shoulder pain after neck dissection Not specified Yes, tabular and graph Yes - Computer analysis
- Wilcoxon test for dependent groups used for comparison of VAS before and after therapy
- Chi-squared for different treatment outcomes
Yagi et al. 1997 [35] No information No information No information No information No information No information

CDDP/epi gel = intratumoral cisplatin/epinephrine injectable gel; VAS = Visual Analogue Scale; ANOVA = analysis of variance.