CONSORT and STRICTA evaluation of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture and rehabilitation for post-stroke limb spasm in recent 10 years in China

Objective To evaluate the literature quality of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture plus rehabilitation for post-stroke limb spasm in the recent ten years in China. Methods By searching four databases of China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP) and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), randomized controlled trial (RCT) of acupuncture plus rehabilitation for the treatment of post-stroke limb spasm were screened and selected. In accordance with 2010 edition of the consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT) and standards for reporting interventions in clinical trials of acupuncture (STRICTA), the quality evaluation was processed for RCT documents. Results Finally, 50 documents were selected. The issues of titles, sample size calculation, application of randomization and blind method, subject’s procedure, conclusion and estimated value, explanation of trial limitation, auxiliary intervention measures and therapeutic plans, and background of therapists exist in most documents. Conclusion Currently, RCT documents about acupuncture plus rehabilitation for the treatment of post-stroke limb spasm are generally of low quality. In the future, it is necessary to standardize the reports of the clinical trials based upon CONSORT and STRICTA, in order to enhance the document quality.