Table 1 General study characteristics and context (n = 43 unless otherwise stated)

Year of publication

 1980–1989

2

5

 1990–1999

11

26

 2000–2009

23

53

 2010–2012

7

16

Funding (n = 28)

 Charity

3

11

 Commercial

1

4

 Public body

14

50

 Mixed

10

37

Clinical area

 Cardiology

5

5

 Emergency care

1

2

 Gastroenterology

2

5

 General medicine

4

9

 Geriatrics

1

5

 Mental health

11

26

 Musculoskeletal

8

19

 Neurology

3

7

 Obstetrics and gynaecology

2

5

 Oncology

1

2

 Ophthalmology

1

2

 Substance abuse

4

5

Intervention 1

 Acupuncture

1

2

 Chiropractic

2

5

 Clinical management (various)

1

2

 Physiotherapy

3

7

 Procedure

17

40

 Psychotherapy

17

40

 Rehabilitation management (various)

2

5

Intervention 2

 Anaesthetic

1

2

 Chiropractic

1

2

 Clinical management (various)

3

7

 Clinical management (various)/procedure

1

2

 Physiotherapy

3

7

 Procedure

16

37

 Psychotherapy

16

37

 Rehabilitation management (varied)

2

5

Difference between interventions

 Minor

8

19

 Substantial

34

79

 Different type of care

1

2