针刺平行随机对照试验通常没有准确报告试验组和对照组的干预方法.为促进标准化,国际上有经验的针刺医师和研究者组成的小组制定了一些原则,即针刺临床对照试验中干预措施报告的标准(缩写为STRICTA).在征求意见过程中,一些期刊编辑协助对此标准进行了修改,使之与随机对照试验报告的标准(CON-SORT)格式一致,作为该指南对针剌研究报告的延伸.参与此事的杂志编辑已确定要发表该标准,建议其作者群按照此标准准备论文,并将邀请更多杂志采用该标准.目的是使针剌对照试验的干预措施充分报告,从而有利于对这些研究的严格评价、分析及这些措施的推广.
Objective To systematically review the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of tumor-related cognitive dysfunction. Methods The PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP and CBM databases were electronically searched to collect studies on acupuncture for the treatment of tumor-related cognitive dysfunction from the establishment of the database to February 13th, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.4.1 software. Results A total of 16 studies involving 1 361 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the mini-mental state examination (MD=1.82, 95%CI 1.49 to 2.15, P<0.000 01) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MD=1.56, 95%CI 0.83 to 2.29, P<0.0001) scores of the acupuncture treatment group were superior to those in the control group. Furthermore, the acupuncture treatment group showed a reduced incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (RR=0.50, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.63, P<0.000 01) and decreased levels of interleukin-6 (MD=−10.43, 95%CI −14.91 to −5.95, P<0.000 01), interleukin-1β (MD=−47.14, 95%CI −63.92 to −30.36, P<0.000 01), and tumor necrosis factor-α (MD=−9.13, 95%CI −12.38 to −5.89, P<0.000 01). In contrast, the visual analog scale score of the acupuncture treatment group (MD=−1.26, 95%CI −2.06 to −0.47, P=0.002) was better than that of the control group. No significant difference was found in the level of central nervous system-specific protein (S100β) (MD=−0.06, 95%CI −0.13 to 0.01, P=0.12) between the two groups. Conclusion Acupuncture therapy can improve tumor-related cognitive function in patients. Its curative effect is better than that of non-acupuncture therapy; however, its ability to reduce S100β levels is not significantly different from that of non-acupuncture therapy. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of establishing intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) model by using minimally invasive acupuncture and rotary-cutting. MethodsForty New Zealand white rabbits [male or female, (2.9±0.3) kg in weight] were randomly divided into control group (n=20) and experimental group (n=20). No treatment was done in the control group; percutaneous puncture was performed on L4, 5 and L5, 6 intervertebral disc by using 18G needle under C-arm X-ray monitoring for rotary-cutting of nucleus pulposus to promote degeneration of the disc in the experimental group. At 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after operation, general observation and MRI observation were done, and intervertebral disc degeneration was accessed based on Pfirrmann grade; the specimens were harvested for Masson staining and Safranine O staining. ResultsThe nucleus pulposus showed dark colors and reduced elasticity in the experimental group when compared with the control group. T2-weighted MRI images indicated that the disc signal intensity of control group had no obvious change at early stage, and weakened slightly at late stage; disc signal intensity of the experimental group decreased with time. According to Pfirrmann grade for disc degeneration, disc degeneration degree was significantly aggravated with time in 2 groups (P < 0.05); degeneration was significantly more severe in the experimental group than the control group at the other time points (P < 0.05) except 4 weeks (P > 0.05). Masson staining results showed that irregular arrangement of annulus with integrate structure was observed in the control group with time; the annulus of the experimental group arranged in disorder, or even disc fibrous circle rupture appeared with time. Safranin O staining showed that the nucleus pulposus cells reduced significantly in the experimental group, but did not in the control group. ConclusionMinimally invasive acupuncture and rotary-cutting could successfully establish the IDD model in rabbits.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training compared with simple rehabilitation training or acupuncture treatment of dysphagia after stroke, and make clear whether the effect of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training is better than simple rehabilitation training or acupuncture treatment.MethodsSix databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Chongqing VIP, PubMed, Cochrance Library, and Embase were searched by computer for the randomized controlled trials on acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training treatment of post-stroke dysphagia, which were published from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2018. After literature including, excluding, and screening, RevMan 5.3 software was used to conduct a meta-analysis.ResultsA total of 22 studies were included, including 1 987 patients. All the included studies took simple rehabilitation training or rehabilitation training combined with sham acupuncture as the control. Meta-analysis of efficiency and outcome measures for relevant studies showed that: compared with simple rehabilitation training, the effectiveness of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training on post-stroke dysphagia was higher [17 studies included; odds ratio=3.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) (2.66, 5.05), P<0.000 01], the video fluoroscopy swallowing study score of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training after treatment was higher [8 studies included; mean difference (MD)=2.31, 95%CI (1.75, 2.87), P<0.000 01], and the StandardizedSwallowing Assessment score of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training after treatment was lower [6 studies included; MD=−3.20, 95%CI (−3.78, −2.61), P<0.000 01]; at the same time the Watian Drinking Water Test score of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training after treatment was lower [6 studies included; MD=−0.65, 95%CI (−0.91, −0.39), P<0.000 01].ConclusionsAcupuncture combined with rehabilitation training is effective in dysphagia after stroke, and the combined effect is better than simple rehabilitation training. However, due to the limitations of quality of included literature and sample size, the above results and conclusions still require high quality and large sample studies to testify.
In the realm of data mining based on modern acupuncture clinical research, the impact of literature features such as literature quality, evidence level, sample size, and clinical efficacy on the quality of data mining outcomes remains uncertain. These issues are significant factors restricting the translational application of data mining research results. We suggest employing both entropy weight and linear weighting techniques to assess the specified indicators. This assessment results in a comprehensive weighted score for acupuncture prescriptions, serving as the foundation for our ensuing data mining endeavors. In this study, migraine research serves as an example to contrast the efficacy of weighted algorithms against that of classical algorithms. The findings demonstrate that the algorithm introduced in this research significantly contributes to studies focusing on the dispersed selection of acupuncture points. Its superiority lies in cluster analysis, where it adeptly discerns potential patterns in the amalgamation of acupoints. This algorithm amalgamates evidence-based acupuncture with data mining processes, providing innovative perspectives that augment the caliber of research in acupuncture data mining. Nonetheless, additional research is essential to corroborate these results.
ObjectiveTo systematically sort out acupuncture therapy research report specification issues and provide a reference for the selection of key problems in the specification of acupuncture therapy network meta-analysis reports. MethodsComputer searches of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP databases were conducted to collect studies related to reporting norms for acupuncture therapy, with a search time from inception to November 2022. Questions were constructed according to the SPIDER model and inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed. CASP was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included literature, and a qualitative systematic evaluation thematic synthesis method was used to analyze, summarize, and integrate the questions on reporting norms for acupuncture therapy research evidence to create a pool of question entries. ResultsA total of 66 papers covering four countries were included, including 17 papers from qualitative studies and 49 papers from quantitative studies. The CASP evaluation results showed that the overall quality of the included studies was high, and the quality of the English studies was higher than that of the Chinese studies. The thematic synthesis method resulted in 22 question entries in 7 categories. The 7 categories of questions included title, abstract, preface, methods, results, discussion and other report specification questions. The 22 entries included "Is there a need to report specific types of acupuncture therapy", "Is there a need to report based on the type of original study and its number", etc. ConclusionThere are many problems with reporting norms in existing acupuncture studies, so it is necessary to collate and summarize the key issues of reporting norms for acupuncture network meta-analysis to provide a scientific and theoretical basis for the development of reporting guidelines for acupuncture network meta-analysis.
Objective To analyze acupuncture resources in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR). Methods We identified acupuncture literature from CDSR (2008 year) electronically. W analyzed this literature by research time date, author, study contents, and conCochrane Library usions. Results We initially found 82 articles. Finally, we identified 67 systematic reviews. The number of acupuncture articles has increased all over the world with higher growth rate in China than overseas. The disease spectrum of acupuncture treatment increased widely, focusing on nervous system diseases and pain diseases. Eight articles (25.8%) definitely supported the efficacy of acupuncture. Twenty two articles (71%) considered the efficacy of acupuncture as uncertain owning to insufficient evidence. Just one article expressed that acupuncture treatment was ineffective according to current evidence.
Objective To assess the quality reports on acupuncture in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Methods MEDLINE, CBM, CMCC and CNKI from 1994 to 2006 were searched electronically. Handsearching was also done. The retrieved articles were assessed in terms of several factors, including the type of clinical research, methodology, diagnostic criteria, inclusion/exclusion criteria, effectiveness measurements, calculation of sample size, follow-up, etc. Results Among the 109 included articles, only 6 were true randomized controlled trials. There were 17 quasi-randomized controlled trials, 13 non-randomized concurrent controlled trials, 1 case-control study and 63 narrative studies. 29 of the reports clearly described the diagnostic criteria, 14 mentioned the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 79 reported the effectiveness measurements, none mentioned the calculation of sample size, 24 reported the follow-up outcomes, and only 1 mentioned adverse reactions. Conclusion More prospective, multicenter, large-scale, high-quality randomised trials are needed, and recommendations should also be made for future evaluations of methodological quality.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of methodology and evidence of the systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) of acupuncture therapy for bronchial asthma. MethodsCNKI, CBM, VIP, WanFang Data, PubMed, The Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases were electronically searched to collect SRs/MAs of acupuncture therapy for bronchial asthma from inception to October 31, 2021. Four reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and applied the AMSTAR 2 to evaluate the quality of methodology of the included studies and the GRADE system to assess the certainty of evidence for outcomes. ResultsA total of 14 SRs/MAs were included and their main conclusions were that acupuncture therapy was beneficial in improving the clinical efficacy of bronchial asthma treatment. The evaluation of AMSTAR 2 showed that the methodological quality of all studies was all extremely low. The evidence grading of GRADE system showed that, in the total of 59 outcomes, 7 were graded as medium-level, 24 as low-level, 28 as extremely low-level, and none was graded as high-level. ConclusionThe current evidence shows the advantages of acupuncture therapy for bronchial asthma but the reliability of SRs/MAs is low. High-quality clinical studies are still needed to verify the efficacy of acupuncture therapy for bronchial asthma.
Objective To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for tension-type headache. Methods A systematic review of the relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for tension-type headache was performed using the methods of The Cochrane Collaboration. Trials were collected from The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2003, MEDLINE (1966 to March 2004), CBM (1978 to August 2003), VIP (1989 to April 2003) and handsearched all related articles published in Chinese in 2003. The quality of literature was reviewed, and data were extracted by two reviewers independently. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 4.2 software. Results Thirteen RCTs involving 571 patients were included, of the thirteen RCTs, six were of high methodological quality according to Jadad scale (the Jadad score≥3), and “sham acupuncture” was used as controlled intervention in eight trials. Meta-analysis indicated that no statistical difference was detected between acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups on effectiveness with RR 1.55, 95%CI 0.97 to 2.47 and P=0.07 at the end of treatment. No statistical difference was detected between acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups on visual analogue scale at the end of treatment with WMD －0.55, 95%CI －1.20 to 0.09 and P=0.09; at the end of follow-up of less than 2 months with WMD －0.22, 95%CI －0.87 to 0.42 and P= 0.50 and at the end of follow-up of more than 2 months with WMD －0.65, 95% CI －1.41 to 0.11 and P=0.09. Conclusions Comparing acupuncture with sham acupuncture and other treatments, current evidence can not evaluate whether acupuncture is significantly effective for tension-type headache, more RCTs of high methodological quality are required.