Nonpharmacological treatments in Chinese medicine (NPTCM) have been widely recognized for their efficacy in treating various health conditions. Acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and Tuina are just a few examples of these traditional interventions that have gained global acceptance. However, despite their popularity, the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on these treatments has been less than optimal. Many studies lack detailed descriptions of interventions, blinding techniques, and exhibit significant heterogeneity between studies.
To address these issues, CONSORT extension guidelines have been developed. These guidelines, including STRICTA for acupuncture, STRICTOM for moxibustion, STRICTOC for cupping, and STRICTOTM for Tuina/massage, aim to standardize the reporting of NPTCM trials. While these guidelines have helped improve reporting quality to some extent, there is still room for improvement.
A recent review published in Frontiers of Medicine analyzed RCTs published in 2022 to assess the reporting quality of NPTCM interventions based on the CONSORT extensions. The review identified 387 eligible RCTs, with the majority published in Chinese journals. The findings revealed that acupuncture trials had the highest reporting rate at 62.6%, while Tuina/massage trials had the lowest at 47.9%. Treatment regimens were relatively well reported at 79.9%, but practitioner background information was notably lacking at 14.9%.
Subgroup analysis showed that publications in English had a higher reporting score compared to those in Chinese. The review also highlighted deficiencies in safety assessments, the incorporation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patterns in trial design, and the implementation of blinding in NPTCM trials.
The review emphasizes the need for enhanced reporting of safety assessments, standardized reporting of TCM pattern-related diagnostic criteria and outcomes, and further research into the factors contributing to poor reporting of specific items like treatment environment and provider background information. Journals are encouraged to strengthen their endorsement of reporting guidelines, particularly in Chinese publications, to improve the overall quality of NPTCM interventional studies.
In conclusion, while progress has been made in adhering to reporting guidelines for NPTCM trials, there is still a need for further improvement to ensure accurate documentation and enhance the reliability of research in this field. By addressing these reporting deficiencies, we can enhance the quality and credibility of NPTCM research, ultimately benefiting patients and practitioners alike.
