I would take the narrow conclusion. Broad ones are more interesting and less true.

Worth asking what specifically was measured. Pain scores move with mood and function does not.

Reference ranges differ between labs, so comparing two reports is close to meaningless.

Ten percent cuts. Slower is faster.

An inconclusive account is useful if it stops the next person mistaking a story for a controlled comparison.

A plausible mechanism is not an outcome, and this class is the textbook example.