| | First author (year) | Effect estimate (95% CI) | Comparisons |
| | Local pain relief | | Liu, 2004 [28]# | MD −1.14 (−3.56, 1.28) | Self-prescribed herbal patch versus diclofenac ointment | | Wang, 2010 [21] | MD 0.00 (−1.09, 1.09) | Huo Xue Hua Yu patch versus diclofenac ointment | |
Wang, 2012 [4]* | MD −1.44 (−1.69, −1.19) | Fu Fang Nan Xing Zhi Tong patch versus placebo | | Wang, 2012 [4]* | MD 1.08 (0.83, 1.33) | Shang Shi Zhi Tong patch versus placebo | | Zheng, 2006 [23] | RR 0.50 (0.10, 2.56) | Qing Peng patch versus diclofenac ointment |
| | Function of knee OA | | Liu, 2004 [28]# | MD −1.30 (−6.46, 3.86) | Self-prescribed herbal patch versus diclofenac ointment (function) | | Wang, 2010 [21] | MD 0.06 (−0.29, 0.41) | Huo Xue Hua Yu patch versus diclofenac ointment (ROM) | | Wang, 2010 [21] | MD 0.06 (−0.40, 0.52) | Huo Xue Hua Yu patch versus diclofenac ointment (flexion deformity) | | Wang, 2012 [4]* | MD −0.42 (−0.47, −0.37) | Fu Fang Nan Xing Zhi Tong patch versus placebo (stiffness) | | Wang, 2012 [4]* | MD −0.37 (−0.42, −0.32) | Shang Shi Zhi Tong patch versus placebo (stiffness) | | Wang, 2012 [4]* | MD −2.61 (−3.01, −2.21) | Fu Fang Nan Xing Zhi Tong patch versus placebo (physical function) | | Wang, 2012 [4]* | MD −2.97 (−3.38, −2.56) | Shang Shi Zhi Tong patch versus placebo (physical function) |
| | Global effectiveness rate | | Lin, 2006 [25]# | RR 0.67 (0.13, 3.53) | Shang Ke Xiao Yan versus diclofenac | |
Long, 2006 [26]# | RR 1.87 (0.50, 7.01) | Shang Ke Hei Yao patch versus diclofenac ointment | | Guan, 2010 [22] | RR 0.43 (0.12, 1.51) | Zhuang Gu Tong Bi patch versus diclofenac ointment | | Zheng, 2006 [23] | RR 0.25 (0.03, 2.13) | Qing Peng patch versus diclofenac ointment | | Zhang, 2008 [20] | RR 0.43 (0.14, 1.26) | Zhi Tong Tou Gu patch versus diclofenac ointment | | Wang, 2006 [58] | RR 0.22 (0.05, 0.97) | Xiao Tong patch versus diclofenac ointment |
|
|
