Quality Assessment of Cohort Studies in Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Scoping Review Over Two Decades.

IF 1.3 4区医学 Q4 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Iranian Journal of Public Health Pub Date : 2025-01-01 DOI:10.18502/ijph.v54i1.17576

Mojtaba Norouzi, Ali Akbar Haghdoost

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Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate the subject matters and the quality of publications detailing the findings of cohort studies within the realm of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Methods: A scoping review was conducted on cohort studies in the CAM field up to the conclusion of 2023. The evaluation of their quality was carried out utilizing the 'Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology' (STROBE) checklist. Moreover, an analysis of their research settings and associated variables, including publication year, type of disease, intervention method, and study field, was conducted.

Results: Overall, 215 articles were identified. The majority of these cohorts, approximately 42.3%, originated from Taiwan, with stroke and cardiovascular diseases emerging as the most prevalent outcomes of interest. The mean STROBE score was 1.38 (SD=0.57) out of 2. The lowest scores were associated with the methods and funding sections. Methodologically, the principal weaknesses were linked to sample size, loss to follow-up, and bias control.

Conclusion: The frequency of cohort studies in CAM was limited, predominantly concentrated in a few countries. Chinese medicine and acupuncture were the main intervention methods, while other CAM interventions received less focus. Furthermore, the quality of these studies was deemed unsatisfactory in most cases.

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来源期刊

Iranian Journal of Public Health PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-

CiteScore

2.20

自引率

7.10%

发文量

300

审稿时长

3-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Iranian Journal of Public Health has been continuously published since 1971, as the only Journal in all health domains, with wide distribution (including WHO in Geneva and Cairo) in two languages (English and Persian). From 2001 issue, the Journal is published only in English language. During the last 41 years more than 2000 scientific research papers, results of health activities, surveys and services, have been published in this Journal. To meet the increasing demand of respected researchers, as of January 2012, the Journal is published monthly. I wish this will assist to promote the level of global knowledge. The main topics that the Journal would welcome are: Bioethics, Disaster and Health, Entomology, Epidemiology, Health and Environment, Health Economics, Health Services, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Mental Health, Microbiology, Nutrition and Food Safety, Occupational Health, Oral Health. We would be very delighted to receive your Original papers, Review Articles, Short communications, Case reports and Scientific Letters to the Editor on the above mentioned research areas.