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. 2024 Oct 25;19(10):e0308704.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308704. eCollection 2024.

How is the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for acupuncture treatment of post-stroke aphasia? A report quality assessment

Chenyang Qin  1 , Shizhe Deng  1 , Boxuan Li  1 , Weiming Zhu  1 , Chaoda Liu  1 , Hailun Jiang  1 , Bifang Zhuo  1 , Menglong Zhang  1 , Yuanhao Lyu  1 , Junjie Chen  1 , Shihao Chi  1 , Beidi Cao  1 , Xinming Yang  1 , Zhihong Meng  1
Affiliations

How is the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for acupuncture treatment of post-stroke aphasia? A report quality assessment

Chenyang Qin et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have reported the use of acupuncture for the treatment of post-stroke aphasia (PSA).

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang data Information Site, and China Science and Technology Journal Database from January 2013 to June 2023. RCTs utilizing acupuncture as an intervention for the treatment of post-stroke aphasia were included in this study. The overall quality score (OQS) of RCTs was independently evaluated by two researchers using the Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials (CONSORT) and the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) guidelines, with the agreement between researchers calculated using Cohen's kappa statistics.

Results: In conclusion, we included 38 RCTs in this study. The median OQS of the 38 RCTs was 13 (minimum 8, maximum 20) based on the CONSORT statement. Out of all CONSORT items, 10 (27%) had a positive rate of greater than 80%, while 17 (46%) had a positive rate of less than 10%. The median OQS of the 38 RCTs was 12 (minimum 6, maximum 14) based on the STRICTA guideline. Within the STRICTA guideline, 6 items (35%) had a positive rate of greater than 80%, and 3 items (18%) had a positive rate of less than 10%. Most items based on the CONSORT and STRICTA guidelines were observed to have a perfect or good degree of agreement.

Conclusions: The overall reporting quality of RCTs for acupuncture treatment of PSA was found to be suboptimal. Notably, the reporting quality of the STRICTA guideline is higher compared to the CONSORT statement. Therefore, strict adherence to both the CONSORT and STRICTA statements is recommended to enhance the quality of RCT reports on acupuncture treatment for post-stroke aphasia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flow chart of selection process.
The entire selection process resulted in a total of 38 studies being included in the analysis.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Information of included RCTs.
The blue bars is the number of publications. The red and green bars represent the average scores of OQS based on CONSORT and STRICTA guidelines respectively in each year.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Information of included RCTs.
The orange bars represent the types of aphasia, and the blue bars represent the types of interventions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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