Lu L, Zhou L, Dong J, Xiang Y, Wen Z. The application of PRECIS-2 ratings in randomized controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicine.
Oncotarget 2017;
8:107002-107010. [PMID:
29291006 PMCID:
PMC5739791 DOI:
10.18632/oncotarget.22204]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This study tests the feasibility of applying the pragmatic-explanatory continuum indicator summary (version "PRECIS-2") tool to randomized controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicine. A search was conducted to identify potentially eligible randomized controlled trials. Using the PRECIS-2 tool, assessment of trials was performed independently by 2 evaluators using a scale of 1-5 for each criterion (1 = maximal efficacy, 5 = maximal effectiveness). A total of 7,166 reports were retrieved from databases and 159 were included in the full text. Though PRECIS-2 describes quantitative scoring in detail, evaluators were uncertain about several specific operationalizations and found high evaluator variation in the first independent ratings. After discussion and reaching consensus, inter-evaluator reliability improved. For PRECIS-2 ratings over time, there was no evidence that the design and performance of RCTs of CHM paid more attention to "efficacy" criteria after the implementation of PRECIS (all P > 0.05). More research is needed to establish the easiest and most useful tool to distinguish between effectiveness and efficacy results.
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