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Ruan H, Zhang H, Feng Z, Li X, Han W, Si Y, Li J. Assessment of Completeness of Reporting in Randomized Controlled Trials of Acupuncture Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Int J Gen Med 2022; 15:5335-5348. [PMID: 35669592 PMCID: PMC9166958 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s356666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess the completeness of reporting in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture therapy (AT) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP (CQVIP), WANFANG Data, and China Biology Medicine (CBM) for studies published from their inception to May 8, 2021. The completeness of reporting was evaluated by CONSORT statement and STRICTA guidelines. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to preliminarily explore the factors related to completeness of reporting. Results A total of 44 RCTs were included. The overall quality score (OQS) based on the CONSORT statement and STRICTA guidelines ranged from 3 to 26 and 7 to 14, with a median of 10 and 11, respectively. Among the 35 items of the CONSORT statement, 10 items were fully reported with reporting rate > 70%, and 11 items were poorly reported at a rate < 5%. Among the 17 items of the STRICTA guidelines, 10 items were adequately reported with > 70%, and only 3 items were incompletely reported at a rate < 20%. The agreement of most items was determined as “good”, “substantial”, or “moderate”. By regression analysis, publication language (β coefficient: 6.432, 95% CI: 3.202 to 9.663, P <0.001) and funding source (β coefficient: 3.159, 95% CI: 1.045 to 5.273, P =0.004) acted as independent predictors of completeness of reporting according to the CONSORT statement. However, no variables associated with the STRICTA guidelines were identified. Conclusion The completeness of reporting of AT for COPD was inadequate. The condition relatively improved for trials with publication in the English language and funding source. By recommendation, reports should be strictly standardized in accordance with the CONSORT statement and STRICTA guidelines to improve the clinical research evidence of AT for COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanrong Ruan
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of P.R. China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailong Zhang
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of P.R. China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China.,Department of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenzhen Feng
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of P.R. China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China.,Department of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuanlin Li
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of P.R. China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China
| | - Weihong Han
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of P.R. China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China
| | - Yimei Si
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of P.R. China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiansheng Li
- Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of P.R. China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, People's Republic of China.,Department of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, People's Republic of China
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Acupuncture for the Treatment of Tension-Type Headache: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:4262910. [PMID: 32256645 PMCID: PMC7106880 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4262910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Because current evidence regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture for a tension-type headache (TTH) is controversial, we evaluated the reliability of the methodological quality and outcome measures of systematic reviews/meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) on acupuncture for TTH. Methods We conducted a comprehensive literature search for SRs/MAs in major databases from the database's inception to September 2019. The Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2) and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) assessments were used to assess the methodological quality of the included reviews and the quality of evidence, respectively. Results Eight reviews were included in the analysis. The AMSTAR-2 assessment results showed that the methodological quality of all included reviews was critically low. Thirty-six outcome measures were included in these reviews. The GRADE results showed that 25 (25/36, 69.4%) outcomes provided low- or very low-quality evidence, four (4/36, 11.1%) provided moderate-quality evidence, and seven (7/36, 19.4%) provided high-quality evidence. Descriptive analysis results showed that acupuncture treatment for TTH reduced headache frequency and severity. Conclusions Acupuncture appears to be an effective treatment modality for TTH, but the credibility of the results is limited owing to the generally low methodological quality and evidence quality in the included SRs/MAs.
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Zhang GS, Zhang CS, Tan HY, Wang Y, DaCosta C, Zhang AL, Xue CC, Xie YM. Systematic Review of Acupuncture Placebo Devices with a Focus on the Credibility of Blinding of Healthy Participants And/Or Acupuncturists. Acupunct Med 2018; 36:204-214. [DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2017-011484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background An ideal placebo design in clinical research should resemble the intervention under investigation to facilitate blinding, yet remain clinically inert. With regard to physical interventions such as acupuncture, a true placebo device has not been developed and validated. Since 1998, researchers have designed several placebo acupuncture devices (PADs). The three most widely used PADs are the Streitberger, the Park and the Takakura device. Aim This review focuses on evaluating studies of these devices, in the context of credibility of blinding (COB), assessment of penetrating pain or sensation, and de qi sensation. Methods Electronic database searches were conducted in four English and two Chinese databases from their inception until November 2016. All studies included in the review were conducted on healthy participants and compared verum manual acupuncture with any of the aforementioned PADs with respect to one or more of the above three outcomes related to blinding effect. Results The synthesised analyses of the 15 included studies showed that the Streitberger and Park placebo devices may not blind participants successfully when tested at a sensitive acupuncture point (LI4). In terms of penetrating sensation, there were significant differences between these two placebo devices and verum acupuncture when applied at this point. The Takakura device was the only PAD that had the potential to blind the acupuncturist. However, the blinding analyses of all outcome measures were inconsistent. Conclusion Overall, there were insufficient data to confirm the blinding effects of these skin-contact PADs as each device was associated with limitations that warrant further design improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Shengxi Zhang
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Claire Shuiqing Zhang
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hsiewe Ying Tan
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yanyi Wang
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cliff DaCosta
- School of Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony Lin Zhang
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charlie Changli Xue
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yi Min Xie
- Centre for Innovative Structures and Materials, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Zhou J, Liu Y, Li C, Liu Z. Comparison of 3 assessment modes of acupuncture effect on patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e12887. [PMID: 30335011 PMCID: PMC6211918 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000012887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common disorder. Some studies have indicated that acupuncture may ameliorate the symptoms of CP/CPPS. However, results are varied and range widely, perhaps due to different modes of assessment including timepoints, places of assessment, and especially subjective scales. We propose to determine the efficacy of acupuncture relative to sham acupuncture for patients with CP/CPPS, and compare different modes of assessment regarding the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. METHODS Sixty patients with CP/CPPS will be randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or sham-acupuncture (30 patients, each). Treatment will be conducted 3 times/week, for 4 weeks. The coprimary outcomes will each be the change from baseline of the total NIH (National Institutes of Health) CPSI (Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index) score associated with 3 modes of assessment: Mode 1, the scale recorded at the hospital within 10 minutes after the last session of 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment, in the company of the outcome assessors; Mode 2, the scale recorded the same day, but not at the hospital; and Mode 3, the scale recorded at the hospital 1 to 3 days after the last acupuncture session. The 3 key secondary outcomes include will be the 3 modes assessment of the changes from baseline of the NIH-CPSI total scores in the acupuncture group at week 4 after treatment. Analysis was by intention-to-treat, and multiplicity was controlled for with a step-down closed-testing procedure. DISCUSSION To our knowledge, previous studies did not include the details of assessment scales when determining the efficacy of acupuncture in CP/CPPS. Furthermore, it is not clear which mode was used to assess the effect. The answers provided by the proposed study may improve the reproducibility of acupuncture research and the reliability of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhou
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
| | - Yan Liu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunbin Li
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
| | - Zhishun Liu
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
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