A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 4 studies with a total of 416 subjects. Three poor quality trials (n=296) compared the figure-of-eight bandage with an arm sling. Pooled data from 2 trials showed no clinical difference in pain (visual analogue scale: 0 to 10; mean difference (MD) 0.43, 95% CI -0.35 to 1.21; n= 203, I² = 74%; very low quality evidence). A third trial reported more pain and greater discomfort during bandage wear. There were no significant differences in functional or other outcomes reported for either trial. One trial (n=120) evaluated therapeutic ultrasound and found no statistically significant difference between low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and placebo in the time to clinical fracture healing (MD -0.32 days, 95% CI -5.85 to 5.21 days) nor in any of the other reported outcomes.
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by limitations in study quality (lack of blinding, inadequate intention-to-treat adherence), by imprecise results (limited study size for each comparison) and by inconsistency (heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes).
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