Table 1.

List of criteria used to rank the methodological quality of the selected randomized controlled trials.

Selection bias

(i) Was the randomization method adequate?

(ii) Was the treatment allocation concealed?

(iii) Were all groups similar at baseline regarding the analyzed parameters?

Performance bias

(i) Was the practitioner background provided?

(ii) Was “Deqi” reported by the patient?

(iii) Was the patient blinded to the intervention?

(iv) Was the care provider blinded to the intervention?

(v) Was the compliance acceptable for all groups?

(vi) Was cointervention similar?

Detection bias

(i) Was the outcome assessor (evaluator) blinded to the intervention?

(ii) Was the timing of the outcome similar in all groups?

Attrition bias

(i) Were the dropouts and withdraws described?

(ii) Were all randomized patients analyzed inside their allocated group?

Results bias

(i) Was the data analysis fully described?

(ii) Was the study results free of suggestion or selective outcomes?

Other bias

(i) Was other potential bias source reported?