Assessment of quality of reporting and methodology in systematic reviews of moxibustion for chronic diseases using PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2

Background: Moxibustion is a simple and low-cost technique for chronic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of reports and methodologies of systematic reviews (SRs) related to the treatment of chronic diseases with moxibustion. Methods: Six databases were searched to identify moxibusti...

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Main Authors: Rong Chen, Xu Zhou, Guihua Deng, Shuqing Li, Linhui Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Complementary Therapies in Medicine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229925000688
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author Rong Chen
Xu Zhou
Guihua Deng
Shuqing Li
Linhui Li
author_facet Rong Chen
Xu Zhou
Guihua Deng
Shuqing Li
Linhui Li
author_sort Rong Chen
collection DOAJ
description Background: Moxibustion is a simple and low-cost technique for chronic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of reports and methodologies of systematic reviews (SRs) related to the treatment of chronic diseases with moxibustion. Methods: Six databases were searched to identify moxibustion SRs for the treatment of chronic diseases. The reporting and methodological quality were evaluated based on the PRISMA 2020 statement and AMSTAR 2 standard, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore impact factors. Results: A total of 200 SRs were included. The median reporting quality score based on the PRISMA 2020 evaluation was 58.33. The incomplete reports involved search strategies, assumptions about missing information, and methods to synthesize and display results. The median methodological quality score of AMSTAR 2 was 40.63. The substandard methodologies included lack of a prespecified protocol, analyses for impacts of the risk of bias, and reports of funding sources. The characteristics of SRs with higher PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2 scores mainly included funding support, English publications, protocol registration, application of PRISMA guidelines, and conduct of GRADE evaluation. Conclusion: Over time, the reporting quality of SRs of moxibustion for chronic diseases has generally improved, but the methodological quality remains unsatisfactory. Conducting a GRADE evidence quality evaluation is crucial for improving the reporting and methodological quality. In the future, it is necessary for both PRISMA 2020 and AMSATR 2 to develop specific extensions for moxibustion to better guide the reporting and methodology of moxibustion SRs. Study registration: PROSPERO ID CRD42020149024
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spelling doaj-art-2d125ffb2b3147bbae2b8fd57ce0bd0e2025-08-20T03:13:08ZengElsevierComplementary Therapies in Medicine0965-22992025-09-019210319310.1016/j.ctim.2025.103193Assessment of quality of reporting and methodology in systematic reviews of moxibustion for chronic diseases using PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2Rong Chen0Xu Zhou1Guihua Deng2Shuqing Li3Linhui Li4Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, ChinaEvidence-based Medicine Research Center, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, ChinaGraduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China; Correspondence to: Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Mei Ling Avenue No. 1688, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330004, China.First Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang, China; Correspondence to: First Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Bayi Avenue No.445, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330004, China.Background: Moxibustion is a simple and low-cost technique for chronic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of reports and methodologies of systematic reviews (SRs) related to the treatment of chronic diseases with moxibustion. Methods: Six databases were searched to identify moxibustion SRs for the treatment of chronic diseases. The reporting and methodological quality were evaluated based on the PRISMA 2020 statement and AMSTAR 2 standard, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore impact factors. Results: A total of 200 SRs were included. The median reporting quality score based on the PRISMA 2020 evaluation was 58.33. The incomplete reports involved search strategies, assumptions about missing information, and methods to synthesize and display results. The median methodological quality score of AMSTAR 2 was 40.63. The substandard methodologies included lack of a prespecified protocol, analyses for impacts of the risk of bias, and reports of funding sources. The characteristics of SRs with higher PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2 scores mainly included funding support, English publications, protocol registration, application of PRISMA guidelines, and conduct of GRADE evaluation. Conclusion: Over time, the reporting quality of SRs of moxibustion for chronic diseases has generally improved, but the methodological quality remains unsatisfactory. Conducting a GRADE evidence quality evaluation is crucial for improving the reporting and methodological quality. In the future, it is necessary for both PRISMA 2020 and AMSATR 2 to develop specific extensions for moxibustion to better guide the reporting and methodology of moxibustion SRs. Study registration: PROSPERO ID CRD42020149024http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229925000688MoxibustionSystematic reviewMeta-analysisReport qualityPRISMA2020AMSTAR 2
spellingShingle Rong Chen
Xu Zhou
Guihua Deng
Shuqing Li
Linhui Li
Assessment of quality of reporting and methodology in systematic reviews of moxibustion for chronic diseases using PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2
Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Moxibustion
Systematic review
Meta-analysis
Report quality
PRISMA2020
AMSTAR 2
title Assessment of quality of reporting and methodology in systematic reviews of moxibustion for chronic diseases using PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2
title_full Assessment of quality of reporting and methodology in systematic reviews of moxibustion for chronic diseases using PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2
title_fullStr Assessment of quality of reporting and methodology in systematic reviews of moxibustion for chronic diseases using PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of quality of reporting and methodology in systematic reviews of moxibustion for chronic diseases using PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2
title_short Assessment of quality of reporting and methodology in systematic reviews of moxibustion for chronic diseases using PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2
title_sort assessment of quality of reporting and methodology in systematic reviews of moxibustion for chronic diseases using prisma 2020 and amstar 2
topic Moxibustion
Systematic review
Meta-analysis
Report quality
PRISMA2020
AMSTAR 2
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229925000688
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