Bao-Yan Liu1, Xing-Yue Yang2, Xiao-Dong Wu3, Jia Liu4, Yan Liu4, Feng-Xia Liang5, Wen Jia5, Wei-Juan Gang3, Yuan-Yuan Tong6, Feng Yang3, Hai-Yan Li6, Lei Lei6, Li-Rong Jia6, Yu-Jie Sun7. 1. China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China. baoyanjournal@163.com. 2. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China. 3. Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China. 4. Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China. 5. College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China. 6. Institute of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China. 7. Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: With the worldwide use and modern development of acupuncture-moxibustion, there is disagreement on its basic definition. There has been an obstacle for clinical practice, research, and legislation. Considering this challenge, the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies proposes to develop the definition and basic scope of acupuncture-moxibustion with a Delphi study. METHODS: A reactive Delphi method will be used to ask a group of experts to rate the relevance and clarity of a predesigned initial item list. This list was generated by the steering committee through a literature review and group discussion. Forty experts will be selected from many disciplines and continents to ensure appropriate representation. Predefined rules will be applied to modify the items until a consensus is achieved. After achieving the consensus on all items through the survey round, the steering committee will form the definition and basic scope of acupuncture-moxibustion by organizing a literal statement with a detailed explanation.
BACKGROUND: With the worldwide use and modern development of acupuncture-moxibustion, there is disagreement on its basic definition. There has been an obstacle for clinical practice, research, and legislation. Considering this challenge, the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies proposes to develop the definition and basic scope of acupuncture-moxibustion with a Delphi study. METHODS: A reactive Delphi method will be used to ask a group of experts to rate the relevance and clarity of a predesigned initial item list. This list was generated by the steering committee through a literature review and group discussion. Forty experts will be selected from many disciplines and continents to ensure appropriate representation. Predefined rules will be applied to modify the items until a consensus is achieved. After achieving the consensus on all items through the survey round, the steering committee will form the definition and basic scope of acupuncture-moxibustion by organizing a literal statement with a detailed explanation.
Keywords:
Delphi method; acupuncture-moxibustion; definition; scope; study protocol