Box 1. Inclusion criteria.
Design
• Randomised trial
• Published in any language
Participants
• Adults with a common musculoskeletal disordera
Intervention
• Massage, defined as systematic manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body with rhythmical pressure and stroking
Outcome measures
• Pain
• Function
Comparisons
• Massage versus no treatment (wait list control, sham, rest or usual care)
• Massage versus other active treatments (exercise therapy, joint manipulation, relaxation therapy)
• a Common musculoskeletal disorders were defined by the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) codes chapter L: locomotor system.46