Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Acupuncture is becoming increasingly popular around the world, and the number of acupuncture systematic reviews/meta-analyses(SR/MAs) is increasing rapidly. However, the reporting quality of SR/MAs is poor and no criteria can be used to standardize their reporting at present.
Objectives: To develop an extension of the PRISMA statement for acupuncture to improve the reporting quality of acupuncture SR/MAs.
Methods: We applied a four-step method including:
1. assessment of acupuncture SR/MAs and relevant reporting guidelines;
2. investigation the information needed from the perspective of clinicians, researchers, masters and doctors;
3. employ three rounds of a Delphi process to select items; and
4. conduct a face-to-face meeting.
Results: Seven initial items were collected. A total of 269 respondents were surveyed and 251 (93%) with complete data were analyzed at the second step. This showed a low satisfaction with the reporting quality of acupuncture SR/MAs. Ten items from the previous steps were circulated to those participating in the Delphi process - we invited 34 experts and 29 agreed to participate. We have finished the first two rounds of the Delphi process, and the third round and face-to-face meeting will be conducted in the following two months. The final items will be presented at the Colloquium.
Conclusions: With comments from evidence users and a review of acupuncture SR/MAs, we captured the main problems and found that the reporting quality of acupuncture SR/MAs cannot satisfy evidence users. Development of a reporting guideline with rigorous methods might help to improve the problem.
Objectives: To develop an extension of the PRISMA statement for acupuncture to improve the reporting quality of acupuncture SR/MAs.
Methods: We applied a four-step method including:
1. assessment of acupuncture SR/MAs and relevant reporting guidelines;
2. investigation the information needed from the perspective of clinicians, researchers, masters and doctors;
3. employ three rounds of a Delphi process to select items; and
4. conduct a face-to-face meeting.
Results: Seven initial items were collected. A total of 269 respondents were surveyed and 251 (93%) with complete data were analyzed at the second step. This showed a low satisfaction with the reporting quality of acupuncture SR/MAs. Ten items from the previous steps were circulated to those participating in the Delphi process - we invited 34 experts and 29 agreed to participate. We have finished the first two rounds of the Delphi process, and the third round and face-to-face meeting will be conducted in the following two months. The final items will be presented at the Colloquium.
Conclusions: With comments from evidence users and a review of acupuncture SR/MAs, we captured the main problems and found that the reporting quality of acupuncture SR/MAs cannot satisfy evidence users. Development of a reporting guideline with rigorous methods might help to improve the problem.