PaPaS Overviews: a collection

***The Cochrane PaPaS Group closes on 31 March 2023 and this website will be archived; please contact support@cochrane.org with any questions***

Cochrane overviews of reviews (Cochrane Overviews) compile evidence from multiple systematic reviews of interventions into one document. You can find out more about this type of review in the Cochrane Handbook here.

At PaPaS, we have produced 12 overviews, and we are pleased to share them here as a collection.

Chronic pain

Adverse events associated with medium- and long-term use of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

Els  C, Jackson  TD, Kunyk  D, Lappi  VG, Sonnenberg  B, Hagtvedt  R, Sharma  S, Kolahdooz  F, Straube  S. Adverse events associated with medium‐ and long‐term use of opioids for chronic non‐cancer pain: an overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD012509. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012509.pub2

  • Overview objectives: To provide an overview of the occurrence and nature of adverse events associated with any opioid agent (any dose, frequency, or route of administration) used on a medium‐ or long‐term basis for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain in adults
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here 


Antiepileptic drugs for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia - an overview of Cochrane reviews

Wiffen  PJ, Derry  S, Moore  RA, Aldington  D, Cole  P, Rice  ASC, Lunn  MPT, Hamunen  K, Haanpaa  M, Kalso  EA. Antiepileptic drugs for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia ‐ an overview of Cochrane reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD010567. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010567.pub2

  • Overview objectives: To provide an overview of the relative analgesic efficacy of antiepileptic drugs that have been compared with placebo in neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, and to report on adverse events associated with their use.
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here


High-dose opioids for chronic non-cancer pain: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

Els  C, Jackson  TD, Hagtvedt  R, Kunyk  D, Sonnenberg  B, Lappi  VG, Straube  S. High‐dose opioids for chronic non‐cancer pain: an overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD012299. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012299.pub2

  • Overview objectives: To describe the evidence from Cochrane Reviews and Overviews regarding the efficacy and safety of high‐dose opioids (here defined as 200 mg morphine equivalent or more per day) for chronic non‐cancer pain.
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here


Interventions for treating pain and disability in adults with complex regional pain syndrome- an overview of systematic reviews

O'Connell  NE, Wand  BM, McAuley  J, Marston  L, Moseley  GL. Interventions for treating pain and disability in adults with complex regional pain syndrome‐ an overview of systematic reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD009416. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009416.pub2

  • Overview objectives: To summarise the evidence from Cochrane and non‐Cochrane systematic reviews of the effectiveness of any therapeutic intervention used to reduce pain, disability or both in adults with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here


Opioids for cancer pain - an overview of Cochrane reviews

Wiffen  PJ, Wee  B, Derry  S, Bell  RF, Moore  RA. Opioids for cancer pain ‐ an overview of Cochrane reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD012592. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012592.pub2

  • Overview objectives: To provide an overview of the analgesic efficacy of opioids in cancer pain, and to report on adverse events associated with their use.
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here


Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

Geneen  LJ, Moore  RA, Clarke  C, Martin  D, Colvin  LA, Smith  BH. Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD011279. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011279.pub3

  • Overview objectives: To provide an overview of Cochrane Reviews of adults with chronic pain to determine (1) the effectiveness of different physical activity and exercise interventions in reducing pain severity and its impact on function, quality of life, and healthcare use; and (2) the evidence for any adverse effects or harm associated with physical activity and exercise interventions.
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here


Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain - an overview of Cochrane Reviews

Gibson  W, Wand  BM, Meads  C, Catley  MJ, O'Connell  NE. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain ‐ an overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD011890. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011890.pub3

  • Overview objectives: To provide an overview of evidence from Cochrane Reviews of the effectiveness and safety of TENS to reduce pain in adults with chronic pain (excluding headache or migraine); to identify possible sources of inconsistency in the approaches taken to evaluating the evidence related to TENS for chronic pain in the Cochrane Library with a view to recommending strategies to improve consistency in methodology and reporting.; and to highlight areas of remaining uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of TENS for chronic pain with a view to recommending strategies to reduce any uncertainty.
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here

Acute (postoperative) pain

Adverse events associated with single dose oral analgesics for acute postoperative pain in adults - an overview of Cochrane reviews

Moore  RA, Derry  S, Aldington  D, Wiffen  PJ. Adverse events associated with single dose oral analgesics for acute postoperative pain in adults ‐ an overview of Cochrane reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD011407. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011407.pub2

  • Overview objectives: To provide an overview of adverse event rates associated with single‐dose oral analgesics, compared with placebo, for acute postoperative pain in adults.
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here


Non-prescription (OTC) oral analgesics for acute pain - an overview of Cochrane reviews

Moore  RA, Wiffen  PJ, Derry  S, Maguire  T, Roy  YM, Tyrrell  L. Non‐prescription (OTC) oral analgesics for acute pain ‐ an overview of Cochrane reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD010794. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010794.pub2

  • Overview objectives: To examine published Cochrane Reviews for information about the efficacy of pain medicines available without prescription using data from acute postoperative pain.
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here


Single dose oral analgesics for acute postoperative pain in adults - an overview of Cochrane reviews

Moore  RA, Derry  S, Aldington  D, Wiffen  PJ. Single dose oral analgesics for acute postoperative pain in adults ‐ an overview of Cochrane reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD008659. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008659.pub3

  • Overview objectives: To summarise the efficacy of pharmaceutical interventions for acute pain in adults with at least moderate pain following surgery who have been given a single dose of oral analgesic.
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here

Acute and chronic pain

Topical analgesics for acute and chronic pain in adults - an overview of Cochrane Reviews

Derry  S, Wiffen  PJ, Kalso  EA, Bell  RF, Aldington  D, Phillips  T, Gaskell  H, Moore  RA. Topical analgesics for acute and chronic pain in adults ‐ an overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD008609. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008609.pub2

  • Overview objectives: To provide an overview of the analgesic efficacy and associated adverse events of topical analgesics (primarily nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), salicylate rubefacients, capsaicin, and lidocaine) applied to intact skin for the treatment of acute and chronic pain in adults.
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here

Migraine

Sumatriptan (all routes of administration) for acute migraine attacks in adults - overview of Cochrane reviews

Derry  CJ, Derry  S, Moore  RA. Sumatriptan (all routes of administration) for acute migraine attacks in adults ‐ overview of Cochrane reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD009108. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009108.pub2

  • Overview objectives: To summarise evidence from four Cochrane intervention reviews on the efficacy and tolerability of sumatriptan in the treatment of acute migraine attacks in adults by four routes of administration (oral, subcutaneous, intranasal, and rectal) compared with both placebo and active comparators.
  • Access the overview on the Cochrane Library here