[Consideration on existing problems in development of clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture and moxibustion in China]

Abstract

To sort out the existing problems within the published 35 evidence-based acupuncture-moxibustion clinical practice guidelines (group standards) in Chinese: the development methods and the development process are not clear and strict enough; the evidence evaluation system fails to fully reflect the characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion. Therefore, Norms for Formulation and Evaluation of the Guidelines on Clinical Practice of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, should require the guideline developers to consider the characteristics of acupuncture discipline, evaluate modern literature evidence comprehensively, and integrate ancient literature and medical experts' experience, to form proper recommendations for clinical practice. Specific requirements should be made simultaneously in the development process to make it clearer and stricter.

Keywords: ancient books of acupuncture-moxibustion; clinical practice guidelines of acupuncture-moxibustion; development of guidelines; evaluation system of evidence.