ObjectiveTo evaluate the reporting quality of systematic reviews (SRs)/meta-analyses on acupuncture focusing on literature screening results and explore the influencing factors of the complete reporting.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP databases were searched to collect SRs/meta-analyses on acupuncture from inception to December 31st, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and evaluated the reporting quality of literature screening results of SRs/meta-analyses on acupuncture based on PRISMA statement. Logistic regression model analysis was applied to explore the influencing factors of the complete reporting rate of literature screening results. Statistical analysis was performed by using Excel 2016 and SPSS 16.0 software.ResultsA total of 1 227 SRs/meta-analyses were included. Only 62.3% SRs fully reported the four parts of literature screening results. The parts with a low reporting rate included the number of studies assessed for eligibility (73.2%) and the reasons for exclusions at each stage (67.0%). And the reporting rate of the literature screening flowchart was also low (63.6%). The reporting rate of literature screening results in Chinese SRs was lower than that in English SRs, and there was significantly statistical difference (P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the type of published journal, publication year, pages of article and the number of searched databases were correlated with the complete reporting rate of literature screening results (P<0.001).ConclusionsThe complete reporting rate of the literature screening results of SRs on acupuncture is low, especially in Chinese SRs. The complete reporting rate of literature screening results is significantly higher for SRs published after PRISMA statement, in SCI journals, with longer length and more searched databases.
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.
ObjectiveTo summarize and evaluate the quality of methodology, report and evidence of the systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) of acupuncture and moxibustion interventions for Parkinson's disease. MethodsEight databases including CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, CBM, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched from inception to May 1, 2023. The quality of methodology, report and evidence involved in these studies were evaluated by AMSTAR 2, PRISMA and GRADE tool. ResultsA total of 28 SRs/MAs were included, and the findings of included studies showed that acupuncture and moxibustion had a clinical advantage for Parkinson's disease. The methodological quality of all studies was extremely low. Thirteen reports were relatively complete, 14 reports had certain flaws, and 1 report had relatively serious flaws. And of the 126 reports for seven outcomes, 1 was graded as high, 12 as moderate, 57 as low, and 56 as critically low. ConclusionThe current evidence shows that acupuncture and moxibustion have a certain clinical effect for Parkinson's disease, but the methodological quality and evidence quality of related SRs/MAs are low, and the standardization still needs to be improved. The efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion in Parkinson's disease still needs to be verified by high-quality clinical studies in the future.
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.
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture versus western medicine in the treatment of depression neurosis. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving acupuncture versus western medicine in the treatment of depression neurosis were identified from CBM (1978 to 2009),VIP (1989 to 2009),WANFANG Database (1998 to 2009), CNKI (1979 to 2009), PubMed (1966 to 2009), EMbase (1980 to 2009), and The Cochrane Library (Issue 4,2008). We also hand searched relevant journals from Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently with a specially designed extraction form. The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 5.0.2 software was used for data analyses. Results A total of 9 trials involving 903 patients were included. Meta-analyses showed that the total effective rate in the acupuncture group was similar when compared with Dailixin (RR= 1.01, 95%CI 0.82 to 1.23) on 20 d, fluoxetine (RR= 1.06, 95%CI 0.82 to 1.37) at week 8, but showing difference between acupuncture and fluoxetine (RR= 1.15, 95CI 1.07 to 1.22) at week 12. As for the HAMD score, no significant difference was noted between acupuncture and Dailixin (WMD= 0.45, 95%CI – 2.47 to 3.37) at 20 d, or amitriptyline at week 6, or fluoxetine on 30 d, and weeks 4, 8, 12; there was a difference between acupuncture and amitriptyline observed at week 1 (WMD= – 2.67, 95%CI – 4.38 to – 0.96) and week 2 (WMD= – 2.18, 95%CI – 3.28 to – 1.08). In terms of the SDS scores, significant difference was found between acupuncture and fluoxetine (WMD= – 4.26, 95%CI – 6.67 to – 1.85) at week 6, but no difference at week 4 and 12. Four trials reported adverse events. One trial found that no adverse events existed in acupuncture according with TESS score, contrasting with thirst, constipation, vision vague, shimmy, fast heart rate, and some change in liver function and cardiogram in amitriptyline group.Two trials reported very low score in acupuncture showing difference when compared with the drugs. And one trial described that four people had stomach and intestinal tract disorders. While no adverse reactions happened in the acupuncture group. Conclusion Acupuncture is not inferior to western medicine, and it is worth noting that acupuncture is associated with few adverse reactions. Further large-scale trials are required to define the role of acupuncture in the treatment of depression neurosis.
Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for shoulder hand syndrome after stroke. Methods We searched MEDLINE (1966 to Sep. 2008), EMbase (1980 to Sept. 2008), CBM (1978 to Sept. 2008), VIP (1989 to Sept. 2008), WANFANG Database (1998 to Sept. 2008), CNKI (1979 to Sept. 2008) and handsearched relevant journals and conference proceedings. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of acupuncture treatment for patients with shoulder hand syndrome. We evaluated the internal validity of the RCTs and quasi-RCTs. If all included trials were of high quality and homogeneity, then the meta-analysis was conducted. Results Three RCTs were identified but due to the defects in quality and clinical differences between the trials, data from these trials were not combined through meta-analysis, and a descriptive analysis was performed. The results showed that acupuncture was effective for treating shoulder hand syndrome. Conclusions The results of our review suggest that acupuncture may be effective for treating houlder hand syndrome, but because of the defects in the methodological quality of included trials, further large sample, double-blind RCTs are urgently needed.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1 in injured nerve. METHODS: Sciatic nerve injury model was established by transection of right side sciatic nerve in 90 male SD rats, which were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was treated with electroacupuncture, no treatment in the control group. The distal part of the injured nerve was harvested after 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10 weeks of operation and stored in the liquid nitrogen. The total RNA was extracted by the TRIzol reagent. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was used to detected the mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of NGF in the experimental group was increased quickly from the second week, and reached to highest level in the fourth week. It was much higher than that of the control group (P lt; 0.05). Then it began to decline in following time and approximately reached to the level of the first week after 10 weeks of operation. The mRNA expression of IGF-1 in the experimental group was remarkably increased in the second and fourth week, and which was much higher than that of the control group respectively(P lt; 0.05). Although the mRNA expression of IGF-1 after 10 weeks of operation in the experimental group was higher than that of the control group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P gt; 0.05). There was linear correlation in the fourth week between mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1 in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The mRNA expression of NGF and IGF-1 can be elevated in injured nerve at early stage interfered with electroacupuncture.
Objective To explore the methods used for developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture. Methods Based on the characteristics of acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine,and principles of evidence-based medicine, this article introduces and summarizes the processes and methods for developing an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for acupuncture. We analyzed similarities and differences between clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture and for other interventions. We used an evidence-based clinical practice guideline of acupuncture for depression as an example to illustrate the methods of literature search, grading of evidence and recommendations, evidence evaluation and consensus formation. Results Preliminary recommendations on the methods for developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture were made. Conclusion Based on the optimized rational methodology for developing clinical guidelines, evidence-based high-quality clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture could be established.
Objective To investigate the effect of CT-guided percutaneous lung puncture biopsy and nursing of postoperative complications. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 522 patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy between May and August 2014 in the Department of Lung Cancer Center. Effect of the puncture biopsy, postoperative complications and nursing measures were summarized. Results After surgery, 507 cases of diagnosis were confirmed, 10 were not confirmed, and 5 cases of puncture were unsuccessful. There were 203 cases of complications, including 122 cases of pneumothorax (23.4%), 56 of hemoptysis 56 (10.7%), 20 of pleural effusion (3.8%), 4 of pleural reaction (0.8%), and 1 of mediastinal emphysema (0.2%). All the above complications were cured after positive symptomatic treatment and nursing care. There were no such complications as severe hemopneumothorax, severe hemoptysis or needle tract metastasis. Conclusions CT-guided percutaneous lung puncture biopsy is a safe and reliable method, but there are some patients with complications. Observation and postoperative care are particularly important. Timely detection and positive care will achieve satisfactory results.
Objective To assess the methodological quality and reporting quality of meta-analysis published in Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion. Methods We searched CNKI database to collect meta-analysis published in Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion up to 2015. Methodological quality assessment was carried out using AMSTAR tool, and quality assessment was carried out by PRISMA checklist. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS 19.0 software. Results A total of 31 meta-analyses were enrolled. Among all the 31 meta-analyses, the first authors came from 19 institutions, and 21 meta-analysis were supported by fundings. All meta-analyses were about the evaluations of acupuncture intervention, involving 10 disease systems (ICD-10) and sub-health. The mean score of the methodological assessment was 7.42±1.13. In addition, the mean score of reporting quality was 18.79±2.04. Conclusion The meta-analyses published in Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion have high quality on methodology as well as reporting. Due to the limited quality and quantity of included studies, the above results are needed to be further assessed by more studies.