Are Published Cancer Care Trial Protocols With Traditional Chinese Medicine Interventions Concordant With SPIRIT-TCM Extension 2018? A Scoping Review on Published Trial Protocols Between 2019 and 2022

Hezheng Lai, Peiying Yang, Xin Shelley Wang, David Lim, Anderson Lam, Yucong Shi, Yishi Huang, Xiaoshu Zhu

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

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Abstract

Background: The SPIRIT-TCM Extension 2018 was created to guide the design and reporting of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinical trial protocols. This study aims to investigate the extent of concordance with this guideline in the relevant field of cancer care research. 

Methods: A scoping review of TCM cancer trial protocols published in English and Chinese since January 2019 was conducted. Five major academic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were searched. Concordance with the SPIRIT-TCM Extension 2018 was assessed by descriptive analysis. 

Results: Fifty-three TCM cancer care trial protocols were identified, comprising 23 acupuncture, 26 Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), and 4 Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ) interventions. The majority of the checklist items had a low rate of concordance, especially in the reporting of quality control and safety, dosage, TCM diagnostic patterns, possible interactions between Western Medicine and TCM interventions, and TCM-related outcome assessments. 

Conclusions: Although the SPIRIT-TCM Extension 2018 guideline was established through extensive Delphi consultation, there are low rates of concordance between published TCM cancer care clinical trial protocols with the guideline. Further research is necessary to understand the low rate of concordance and how scientific rigors of reporting can be improved in TCM cancer care research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-19
Number of pages19
JournalINTEGRATIVE CANCER THERAPIES
Volume23
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Jan 2024

Keywords

  • acupuncture
  • Chinese Herbal Medicine
  • clinical trial
  • extension
  • Qigong
  • recommendation
  • SPIRIT
  • Tai Chi
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine

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