Table 3 Synthesis of evidence for stretching, mobilisation, manipulation and soleal trigger point therapy

Total number of studies (k)

k = 18

k = 2

k = 2

k = 1

Study designs

RCT: k = 11

Experimental: k = 2

RCT: k = 1

RCT: k = 1

Experimental: k = 7

Experimental: k = 1

PEDro score (range and median score)

Range: 4 to 11

Range: 5 to 8

Range: 4 to 8

Score = 7

Median: 7.5

Median: 6.5

Median: 6

Consistency of findings

Significant effect: k = 4

Non-significant effect: k = 1

Non-significant effect: k = 1

Non-significant effect: k = 1

SMD range: 0.70 (0.04 to 1.37) [21] to 1.69 (0.53 to 2.85) [3]

SMD 0.19 (−0.37 to 0.75) [39]

SMD 0 (−0.44 to 0.44) [16]

SMD 0.72 (−0.18 to 1.63) [2]

Non-significant effect: k = 5

Insufficient data: k = 1 [40]

Insufficient data: k = 1 [13]

SMD range: 0.36 (−0.44 to 1.17) [32] to 0.91 (−0.44 to 2.25) [18]

Insufficient data or no control group comparison:

k = 9 [1, 6, 14, 15, 19, 22, 27, 30],[31]