title: STRICTA: is it time to do more?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In order to facilitate the completeness and transparency of reporting on randomized controlled trials undertaken using acupuncture interventions, a consensus group of international experts developed the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) in 2002. This reporting guideline was updated in 2010, and was applicable to a broader range of acupuncture research, including uncontrolled trials and case reports. Subsequent evaluations have noted limitations on the impact of STRICTA in the reporting quality of acupuncture trials, and the description of acupuncture details remains poor. Thus improvement in the efficacy of the STRICTA guidelines is called for.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We explored the STRICTA guidelines from four aspects, including the development procedure, validity assessment, endorsement and adherence, and citation situation. Based upon these findings, we provided five potential suggestions for further development of STRICTA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  STRICTA are valid reporting guidelines based on robust methodology and scientific content. However specific implementation strategies including: updating the STRICTA checklist; improving the STRICTA reporting efficiency; consistency with implementing the "Instructions for authors" for journals; establishing global STRICTA research centers; and expanding the STRICTA website, are needed. Such strategies will improve their utilization and impact positively on the quality of reporting on acupuncture research outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, 325 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand. lizhou.liu@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Lizhou
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, 325 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand. margot.skinner@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Margot
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health and Rehabilitation Technologies, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, BT37 0QB, UK. s.mcdonough@ulster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McDonough
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, 325 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand. kanpr735@student.otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kannan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, 325 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand. david.baxter@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: George David
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Baxter
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D058028:Research Report / Q000592:standards*