[Reasons for publication bias in acupuncture RCTs]

The high quality literatures on acupuncture RCTs that has been published in China and the United States in recent years are retrieved. The analysis of random methods, research design and application status and social conditions is carried out. The statistical analysis of China population and the United States population is carried out to explore the reasons for publication bias in acupuncture RCTs. The results suggest that there is no significant difference between China and the United States in design and application on randomized method. Compared with the United States, the blind assessor used in acupuncture research is poorly carried out in China. The research design and application status on acupuncture is better in China than in the United States. The reasons for publication bias in acupuncture RCTs may be related to the understanding and acceptance status of acupuncture. It is impressed that blind assessor in acupuncture RCTs is a key of improving the research quality.