Table 1 The search strategy of RCT and CCT

By Ovid sp Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), The search time limit: from the establishment of the database to March 31, 2021.

1 exp Neoplasms/

2 exp "Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck"/

3 exp "Head and Neck Neoplasms"/

4 exp Mouth Neoplasms/

5 Neoplasia

6 Tumor.mp.

7 cancer.mp.

8 Malignancy.mp.

9 Malignant Neoplasm.mp.

10 Head and Neck cancer.mp.

11 oral cancer or mouth cancer.mp.

12 Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas.mp.

13 Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinomas.mp.

14 Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas.mp.

15 Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas.mp.

16 Nasopharynx Squamous Cell Carcinomas.mp.

17 or /1—16.

18 exp Health Education/

19 exp Health Promotion/

20 (health guid* or health instruct*).mp.

21 or /18—20.

22 exp Pain Management/

23 (pain intervention or pain nursing care or pain treatment or pain relie* or pain reduc* or pain control).mp.

24 or /22—23.

25 (RCT or randomized controlled trial or controlled clinical trial or CCT).mp.

26 17and 21 and 24 and 25

27 limit 26 to English language