Impact evaluation of CONSORT and STRICTA guidelines on reporting quality for randomized controlled trials of acupuncture conducted in China

Objective To evaluate and compare the reports' qualities of acupuncture randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in China before and after the implementation of two guidelines, i.e., the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement and the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA). Methods Proportions of studies that reported CONSORT and STRICTA items were compared for the years before and after implementation of these two guidelines. In addition, the total score of each item's reporting were calculated and reported differences during different date ranges were compared. Results For CONSORT items (maximum score 8), there was evidence of a slight improvement in reporting between 1994–1995 and 1999–2000 combined (2.5±0.6) and 2004–2005 and 2009–2010 combined (3.0±0.9; difference 0.4, 95% confidence interval, 0.3 to 0.6, P <0.01). For STRICTA items (maximum score 17), there was evidence that a slight improvement in reporting between 1994–1995 and 1999–2000 combined (8.6±2.1) and 2004–2005 and 2009–2010 combined (10.1±1.8; difference 1.5, 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 1.9, P <0.01). Conclusion Quality of reporting for RCTs of acupuncture treatment conducted in China have generally improved since the introduction of the STRICTA and CONSORT guidelines.