Overall Reporting Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials of Acupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

Yan-Shan Duan, Yi-Ran Wang, Bin-Yan Li, Zi-Tong Fu, Jian-Feng Tu, Hang Zhou, Yu Wang, Li-Qiong Wang, Cun-Zhi Liu International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Li-Qiong Wang; Cun-Zhi Liu, International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, Chaoyang District, 100029, People’s Republic of China, Email lcz623780@126.com; wangliqiongwork@163.comObjective: To evaluate the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis and explore factors associated with the reporting.Study Design and Setting: Eight databases were searched from inception to August 2024 to assess the quality of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis RCTs based on the CONSORT, the STRICTA, and the CONSORT-Outcomes. We performed regression analyses on pre-specified study characteristics to explore factors associated with reporting quality.Results: One hundred and seventy-four RCTs were evaluated by 69 items from 3 checklists. Seventeen of 37 items on the CONSORT were under-reported (reported in less than 20% of RCTs), and the weakest reported item was why the trial ended or was stopped (0%). Four of 17 items on the STRICTA were under-reported, and the weakest reported item was the number of needle insertions per subject per session (9.2%). Eight of 17 items on the CONSORT-Outcomes were under-reported, and the weakest reported item was identifying any outcomes that were not pre-specified in a trial registry or trial protocol (0.6%). RCT locations include countries other than China, published in English, or funded were more likely to have better reporting.Conclusion: RCTs of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis need to focus more on reporting details of acupuncture interventions, the reporting of protocol amendment, and the complete reporting of outcome-related content. Journals should encourage authors to adhere strictly to reporting guidelines, which is necessary to improve the quality of reporting, which is very important for Chinese journals.Keywords: randomized controlled trials, acupuncture, knee osteoarthritis, CONSORT, STRICTA, outcomes