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

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.

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.

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.

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.

PROSPERO ID CRD42020149024.