Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Cochrane Systematic Reviews (CSRs) are frequently referenced by acupuncture efficacy studies nowadays. We reviewed the CSRs on acupuncture, and analyzed the disease fields they covered and the conclusions they reached. In order to explore the potential contribution to CSRs by Chinese resources, we analyzed whether the participation of Chinese reviewers, the utilization of Chinese databases, and the inclusion of Chinese clinical trials would affect the positive conclusion ratios of the CSRs.
Methods: Acupuncture-related CSRs in the Cochrane Library were searched and classified based on the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10). The CSRs were further designated as positive or negative according to the conclusion statements. CSRs with the participation of Chinese reviewers, the utilization of Chinese databases, or the inclusion of Chinese clinical trials were extracted, and the positive ratios of conclusions were compared separately with corresponding CSRs without those three Chinese resources (Fig. 1).
Results: Thirty-two CSRs were identified, 9 (28.1%) of which reached positive conclusions (Table 1). The CSRs with positive conclusions were mainly about multifarious pains, nausea and vomiting, and functional disorders. Seventeen (53.1%) included the participation of Chinese reviewers, 18 (56.3%) involved the utilization of Chinese databases, and 20 (62.5%) included Chinese clinical trials. No differences on the positive conclusion ratios were observed between CSRs with reviewers from Chinese institutions and those that did not (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.06, 1.62), the utilization of Chinese databases and those that did not (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.11, 2.44), or the inclusion of Chinese clinical trials and those that did not (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 0.26, 6.49).
Conclusions: Most CSRs on acupuncture are inconclusive. Chinese resources, including reviewers from Chinese institutions and the utilization of Chinese databases or articles, seems to contribute equally to the conclusions of CSRs compared to resources from countries other than China.
Methods: Acupuncture-related CSRs in the Cochrane Library were searched and classified based on the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10). The CSRs were further designated as positive or negative according to the conclusion statements. CSRs with the participation of Chinese reviewers, the utilization of Chinese databases, or the inclusion of Chinese clinical trials were extracted, and the positive ratios of conclusions were compared separately with corresponding CSRs without those three Chinese resources (Fig. 1).
Results: Thirty-two CSRs were identified, 9 (28.1%) of which reached positive conclusions (Table 1). The CSRs with positive conclusions were mainly about multifarious pains, nausea and vomiting, and functional disorders. Seventeen (53.1%) included the participation of Chinese reviewers, 18 (56.3%) involved the utilization of Chinese databases, and 20 (62.5%) included Chinese clinical trials. No differences on the positive conclusion ratios were observed between CSRs with reviewers from Chinese institutions and those that did not (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.06, 1.62), the utilization of Chinese databases and those that did not (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.11, 2.44), or the inclusion of Chinese clinical trials and those that did not (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 0.26, 6.49).
Conclusions: Most CSRs on acupuncture are inconclusive. Chinese resources, including reviewers from Chinese institutions and the utilization of Chinese databases or articles, seems to contribute equally to the conclusions of CSRs compared to resources from countries other than China.
