Following retrieving articles about foreign large sample clinical trials of acupuncture(more than 500cases)from MEDLINE and EMBASE databases(1996-2012)by using keywords of"acupuncture"and"clinical trial"

aquality analysis was carried out independently by two researchers.A total of 1 373 papers were collected and 37 were considered to meet our preformulated standards in accordance with the principles and methods of evidence-based medicine.Majority of these 37 articles were from some advanced countries including Germany

USA

Japan

Demark

Australia

et al.Their paper quality and research quality are varied including the methodology

standards for diagnosis

inclusive and exclusive criteria

follow-up survey

economic effectiveness

adverse effects

acupoint application and syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine.Of the 37 papers

17are multiple center clinical trials

18 are one center clinical trials

and 2are not clear.Our Chinese researchers should pay more attention to foreign well-designed

large example

randomized controlled clinical trials and draw their matured experience and strong points to compensate our weak points and to improve our levels in clinical study on acupuncture treatment of clinical disorders.