Practical interpretation of the guidance on the implementation of registry study on acupuncture and moxibustion

In recent years, acupuncture clinical research has developed rapidly in the context of internationalization, with increasing evidence of its therapeutic efficacy, highlighting the need for research methods specific to acupuncture. Registry studies, as one of the prominent types of real-world study (RWS), face challenges such as insufficient data standardization and procedural normalization. The Guidance on the implementation of registry study on acupuncture and moxibustion , issued by the China Association for Acupuncture and Moxibustion (CAAM) in 2022, provide a comprehensive framework for standardizing such studies. This article adopts the “Effect of Acupuncture on Ovarian Function in Patients with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: a Patient Registry Study”, led by the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, as a practical case study. By integrating the guideline provisions with case reports, it offers a detailed interpretation of the specific practical details of registry study on acupuncture and moxibustion, covering aspects such as project establishment, research design, implementation process, and organizational management. The aim is to assist readers in applying the guidelines to registry studies on acupuncture and moxibustion, thereby enhancing the scientific rigor and standardization of acupuncture clinical research and providing methodological references for advancing evidence-based acupuncture medicine.