title: Appropriately selecting and concisely reporting the outcome measures of randomized controlled trials of traditional Chinese medicine.
abstract: Evaluating outcome is the primary means by which different medical modalities can be compared with regard to effectiveness. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this focus has prompted practitioners to search for outcome measures that can objectively verify the effectiveness of TCM interventions, especially in the context of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Commonly used indexes for outcome assessment in RCTs of TCM can be categorized into two types: TCM-specific outcomes such as tongue and pulse characteristics, and Western medicine (WM)-specific outcomes such as blood test and X-ray examination results. Some studies include both types of indicators. During the trial design, it is necessary to consider the rationales of selecting outcome assessments, the purpose and study approach, balance between objective and subjective indexes, standardization of outcome assessment, and standardized outcome indexes. We recommend to report the outcome assessment in RCTs of TCM in the following format: 1) identifying the primary and secondary outcomes based on the purpose and hypothesis of the trial; 2) defining the primary and secondary outcomes clearly; 3) presenting the rationale of selection; 4) presenting the method with aims to standardize the assessment process; 5) presenting the method to improve the reliability of assessment; and 6) stating the termination criteria in the trial.
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China. bzxiang@hkbu.edu.hk
authors.forename: Zhao-xiang
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Bian
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moher
authors.forename: You-ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tai-xiang
authors.initials: TX
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dagenais
authors.forename: Chung-wah
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ting-qian
authors.initials: TQ
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome