Table 6 Reporting assessment of included studies based on ICWM-specific items (n = 1458)

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)?

1027 (70.44)

–

431 (29.56)

Q2. Whether the eligibility criteria of participants included both Chinese and Western medical diagnosis in Methods of Abstract?^a

250 (18.05)

1135 (81.95)

-

Q3. Whether the study objectives or hypotheses were focused on the ICWM interventions in Abstrac?^a

851 (61.44)

–

534 (38.56)

Q4. Whether the outcome measures included both CM and WM-related endpoints in the Abstract?^a

232 (16.75)

528 (38.12)

625 (45.13)

Q5. Whether the effect of studied ICWM interventions was reported in Conclusion of Abstract?^a

929 (67.08)

–

456 (32.92)

Q6. Whether the features or designs of the ICWM study reflected in Keywords?

1040 (71.33)

366 (25.10)

52 (3.57)

Q7. Whether the reason/rationale for ICWM intervention for the study design was reported in Background?

243 (16.67)

457 (31.34)

758 (51.99)

Q8. Whether any necessity/advantage of ICWM intervention was reported in the Background?

114 (7.82)

–

1344 (92.18)

Q9. Whether the objectives or hypotheses focused on the ICWM interventions in the Background (e.g., improve the efficacy/safety, or reduce the side effects)?

305 (20.92)

1153 (79.08)

Q10. Whether the eligibility criteria of participants include both Chinese and Western medical diagnosis in Methods?

339 (23.25)

236 (16.19)

883 (60.56)

Q11. Whether the specific information of disease (e.g., classification of disease, treatment points, stages of diseases) of the ICWM was reported in Methods?

410 (28.12)

–

1048 (71.88)

Q12. Whether any specific criteria related to ICWM in the selection of study centers?

39 (2.67)

–

1419 (97.33)

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?

1336 (91.63)

–

122 (8.37)

Q14. In the ICWM group, whether CM intervention(s) reported with sufficient details to allow replication, including how and when they were administered?

1136 (77.91)

–

322 (22.09)

Q15. In the ICWM group, whether WM intervention(s) was reported with sufficient details to allow replication, including how and when they were administered?

1343 (92.11)

–

115 (7.89)

Q16. Whether the rationale for the choice of the control group(s) was provided?

1458 (100)

–

-

Q17. In the control group, whether sufficient details were reported to allow replication?

1325 (90.88)

–

133 (9.12)

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)?

12 (0.82)

–

1446 (99.18)

Q19. Whether any measures were adopted to evaluate or improve the compliance of participants?

4 (0.27)

–

1454 (99.73)

Q20. Whether the outcome measures included both CM and WM related endpoints in Methods?

349 (23.94)

–

1109 (76.06)

Q21. For the studies with open label, whether any reasons or explanations for such design was reported?^b

0 (0)

–

3 (100)-

Q22. In the control group(s), did the placebo of WM invention(s) was included? If so, whether sufficient details were provided?^c

8 (47.06)

–

9 (52.94)

Q23. In the control group(s), did the placebo of CM invention(s) was included? If so, whether sufficient details were provided?^c

16 (94.12)

–

1 (5.88)

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?

0 (0)

–

-

Q25. Whether any discussion about external validity of ICWM results was reported, particular in different environments?

0 (0)

–

-

Q26. Whether interpretation and significance of studied ICWM interventions for the disease was reported in the Discussion?

306 (20.99)

567 (38.89)

585 (40.12)

Q27. Whether any potential conflicts of interest were clearly reported?

15 (1.03)

36 (2.47)

1407 (96.50)