Table 3 Sub-group analysis for the potential heterogeneity sources of the DPT effects compared to placebo/other non-surgical interventions based on short-term pain

Country

Iran

-0.158 (-0.729, 0.413)

2

1.46

0.228

31.3%

Turkey

-1.558 (-2.925, -0.190)

5

68.39

0.000

94.2%

Korea

0.278 (-0.768, 1.324)

1

-

-

-

Dextrose volume

 < 10 ml

-0.778 (-1.653, 0.097)

6

33.74

0.000

85.2%

10 ml

-1.499 (-4.564, 1.566)

2

44.58

0.000

97.8%

Dextrose concentration

 ≥ 15%

-1.321 (-2.903, 0.261)

5

64.71

0.000

93.8%

 < 15%

-.0.437 (-1.084, 0.210)

3

6.77

0.034

70.5%

Needle

22-gauge

-1.755 (-3.570, 0.061)

4

45.10

0.000

93.3%

25-gauge

-0.009 (-0.509, 0.492)

2

0.36

0.546

0.0%

27-gauge

-0.997 (-1.682, -0.312)

1

-

-

-

Number of DPT sessions

1

-0.493 (-1.234, 0.248)

1

-

-

-

2

-0.908 (-3.054, 1.238)

3

47.74

0.000

95.3%

3

-1.138 (-2.391, 0.115)

4

34.23

0.000

91.2%

Interval between DPT sessions

None

-0.493 (-1.234, 0.248)

1

-

-

-

1 week

0.061 (-0.286, 0.409)

2

0.02

0.892

0.0%

2 weeks

-0.019 (-0.699, 0.661)

2

0.54

0.463

0.0%

3 weeks

-2.577 (-4.296, -0.857)

3

22.37

0.000

91.1%

Ultrasound guidance

Yes

-0.217 (-0.589, 0.154)

6

8.78

0.118

43.1%

No

-3.292 (-3.980, -2.605)

2

0.88

0.347

0.0%

Use of anesthetics

Yes

-0.750 (-1.671, 0.171)

6

49.26

0.000

89.8%

No

-1.816 (-5.644, 2.013)

2

29.15

0.000

96.6%

Blinding

Yes

-1.588 (-2.921, -0.255)

5

46.96

0.000

91.5%

No

0.022 (-0.301, 0.346)

3

0.39

0.823

0.0%

Performance bias

Low

-1.755 (-3.570, 0.061)

4

45.10

0.000

93.3%

High

-0.236 (-0.726, 0.253)

4

7.35

0.062

59.2%

Detection bias

Low

-1.588 (-2.921, -2.255)

5

46.96

0.000

91.5%

High

0.022 (-0.301, 0.346)

3

0.39

0.823

0.0%

Attrition bias

Low

-0.747 (-1.694, 0.201)

6

44.97

0.000

88.9%

High

-1.834 (-5.613, 1.944)

2

31.27

0.000

96.8%

Total bias

High

-0.623 (-1.405, 0.158)

7

53.08

0.000

88.7%

Unclear

-3.812 (-5.096, -2.529)

1

-

-

-