CARE extension guideline for acupuncture case reports.

Area of Science:

• Integrative and Complementary Medicine
• Medical Reporting Standards

Background:

• Existing reporting checklists are insufficient for detailed acupuncture case reports.
• There is a need for a specialized guideline to improve the quality of acupuncture case report documentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a comprehensive reporting guideline for acupuncture case reports.
• To enhance the transparency, completeness, and accuracy of acupuncture case report publications.

Main Methods:

• The guideline was developed based on the CAse REport (CARE) statement and Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) network methodology.
• A multidisciplinary expert group drafted the initial checklist, refined through literature review, expert interviews, and three rounds of modified Delphi surveys with 38 experts.

Main Results:

• The final CARE for acupuncture checklist consists of 30 items.
• The guideline was developed using rigorous methodology involving international experts from diverse disciplines.

Conclusions:

• CARE for acupuncture provides a comprehensive and rigorously developed reporting guideline specifically for acupuncture case reports.
• This guideline aims to assist authors, editors, peer reviewers, and readers in improving the reporting of acupuncture case studies.