Table 2 Questions for assessing the reporting of ICWM-specific items

Q1

Whether the feature of ICWM was presented in the section of “Title” (e.g., generalized term of ICWM, or specific CM and WM interventions provided in the title)?

Q2

Whether the eligibility criteria of participants include both Chinese and Western medical diagnosis in Methods of Abstract?

Q3

Whether the study objectives or hypotheses were focused on the ICWM interventions in the Abstract?

Q4

Whether the outcome measures included both CM and WM-related endpoints in the Abstract?

Q5

Whether the effect of studied ICWM interventions was reported in the Conclusion of the Abstract?

Q6

Whether the features or design of the ICWM study were reflected in Keywords?

Q7

Whether the reason/rationale about ICWM intervention for the study design was reported in Background?

Q8

Whether any necessity/advantage about ICWM intervention was reported in the Background?

Q9

Whether the objectives or hypotheses were focused on the ICWM interventions in the Background (e.g., improve the efficacy/safety, or reduce the side effects)?

Q10

Whether the eligibility criteria of participants include both Chinese and Western medical diagnosis in Methods?

Q11

Whether the specific information of disease (e.g., classification of disease, treatment points, stages of diseases) of the ICWM was reported in Methods?

Q12

Whether any specific criteria related ICWM in the selection of study centers?

Q13

Whether the specific type/way of integration of CM and WM interventions (such as overlying, one-after-another, or add-on design) was reported in Methods?

Q14

In the ICWM group, whether CM intervention(s) was reported with sufficient details to allow replication, including how and when they were administered?

Q15

In the ICWM group, whether WM intervention(s) was reported with sufficient details to allow replication, including how and when they were administered?

Q16

Whether the rationale for the choice of the control group(s) was provided?

Q17

In the control group, whether sufficient details were reported to allow replication?

Q18

Whether any description of treatment providers’ background (e.g., qualification and/or experiences in ICWM, or whether the providers conducted CM and WM separately)?

Q19

Whether any measures were adopted to evaluate or improve the compliance of participants?

Q20

Whether the outcome measures included both CM and WM-related endpoints in Methods?

Q21

For the studies with open label, whether any reasons or explanations for such design was reported?

Q22

In the control group(s), did the placebo of WM invention(s) was included? If so, whether sufficient details were provided?

Q23

In the control group(s), did the placebo of CM invention(s) was included? If so, whether sufficient details were provided?

Q24

In the section of Results, whether any information about the participants exposed to ICWM treatment prior to recruitment was mentioned in the baseline data?

Q25

Whether any discussion about external validity of ICWM results reported, particularly in different environments?

Q26

Whether interpretation and significance of studied ICWM interventions for the disease was reported in the Discussion?

Q27

Whether any potential conflicts of interests were clearly reported?