The number of component studies in Cochrane reviews and of original RCTs with reporting of selected STRICTA items
| Items | Component studies in Cochrane reviews | Original RCTs | Difference (95% CI)* | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n/N | (%) | n/N | (%) | ||
| A. Acupuncture rationale | |||||
| (1) Style of acupuncture treatment | 59/92 | (64.1) | 66/92 | (71.7) | 7.6 (1.1 to 14.1) |
| (2) Reasoning of treatment | 6/92 | (6.5) | 42/92 | (45.6) | 39.1 (28.1 to 50.2) |
| (3) Extent to which treatment was varied | 76/92 | (82.6) | 87/92 | (94.6) | 12.0 (4.2 to 19.5) |
| Total section A | |||||
| B. Needling details | |||||
| (1) Number of needles | 76/92 | (82.6) | 84/92 | (91.3) | 8.7 (1.9 to 15.5) |
| (2) Names of points | 74/92 | (80.4) | 84/92 | (91.3) | 10.9 (2.7 to 19.0) |
| (3) Depths of insertion | 36/92 | (39.1) | 41/92 | (44.6) | 5.4 (−7.1 to 17.9) |
| (4) Response to needle | 53/92 | (57.6) | 63/92 | (68.5) | 10.9 (0.0 to 21.7) |
| (5) Needle stimulation | 42/92 | (45.7) | 64/92 | (69.6) | 23.9 (13.6 to 34.2) |
| (6) Retention time | 69/92 | (75.0) | 81/92 | (88.0) | 13.0 (4.4 to 21.6) |
| (7) Needle type | 18/92 | (19.6) | 60/92 | (65.2) | 45.7 (34.4 to 56.9) |
| Total section B | |||||
| C. Treatment regimen | |||||
| (1) Number of sessions | 85/92 | (92.4) | 90/92 | (97.8) | 5.4 (−0.3 to 11.2) |
| (2) Frequency/duration | 85/92 | (92.4) | 88/92 | (95.7) | 3.3 (−2.5 to 9.1) |
| Total section C | |||||
| D. Treatment context | |||||
| (1) Details of other treatments | 15/92 | (16.3) | 31/92 | (33.7) | 17.4 (8.6 to 26.2) |
| (2) Setting and context | 2/92 | (2.2) | 19/92 | (20.7) | 18.5 (9.5 to 27.5) |
| Total section D | |||||
| E. Practitioner background | |||||
| (1) Description of acupuncturists | 56/92 | (60.9) | 51/92 | (55.4) | −5.4 (−15.2 to −4.4) |
*Higher number means favourable results to RCTs.
RCTs, randomised controlled trials.