Effectiveness of acupuncture for anxiety and depression in irritable bowel syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most commonly gastrointestinal diseases. The Rome Foundation''s global study on 33 countries shows the total prevalence of IBS under the Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria was 3.8%. It is well established that people with IBS have higher levels of anxiety and depression. The impact of the acupuncture associated with anxiety and depression has been widely studied in Western countries. Acupuncture may be a promising choice for the treatment of anxiety and depression in IBS.Methods:RCTs of acupuncture for depression and anxiety in IBS will be searched in the relevant database, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). The studies of electronic searches will be exported to EndNote V.9.1 software. We will run meta-analyses using the Review Manager (RevMan) V.5.3 software. Any disagreement will be solved in consultation with a third reviewer.Results:Our study aims to explore the efficacy of acupuncture for depression and anxiety in IBS and to provide up-to-date evidence for clinical of IBS.Conclusion:This study will perform a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of acupuncture for depression and anxiety in IBS, making up for the lack of relevant evidence of the clinical use of acupuncture.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY 202120014.     

Effectiveness of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of infertility is about 15%, and more than 50% of infertility cases are caused by male infertility. Asthenozoospermia is caused by male fertility decline and male infertility. Due to work pressure, environmental pollution, sexual diseases, and other factors, the number of patients with asthenozoospermia has increased in recent years. It has been confirmed that acupuncture has a certain effect on patients with asthenozoospermia. Acupuncture and moxibustion can be an adjuvant treatment plan for the treatment of asthenozoospermia in addition to drug treatment.Methods:Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia will be searched in the relevant database, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). The studies of electronic searches will be exported to EndNote V.9.1 software. We will run meta-analyses using the Review Manager (RevMan) V.5.3 software. Any disagreements will be solved in consultation with a third reviewer.Results:Our study aims to explore the efficacy of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia and to provide up-to-date evidence for clinical of asthenozoospermia.Conclusion:This study will perform a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia, making up for the lack of relevant evidence of the clinical use of acupuncture.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY 202140032.     

Effectiveness of acupuncture for nocturia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Nocturia is a common and highly troubled lower urinary tract symptom, which has a wide range of effects. About 33% of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms have been affected by nocturia. Nocturia is mainly manifested as the increase of urination frequency and urine volume at night. It has been proved that acupuncture can reduce the symptoms of nocturia and regulate bladder function in Western countries. Acupuncture may be a promising choice for the treatment of nocturia.Methods:RCTs of acupuncture for nocturia will be searched in the relevant database, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database. The studies of electronic searches will be exported to EndNote V.9.1 software. We will run meta-analyses using the Review Manager (RevMan) V.5.3 software. Any disagreement will be solved in consultation with a third reviewer.Results:Our study aims to explore the efficacy of acupuncture for nocturia and to provide up-to-date evidence for clinical of nocturia.Conclusion:The conclusion of this study will provide evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture treatment of nocturia.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY202130100.     

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for senile insomnia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Senile insomnia seriously affects the quality of life of the elderly. With the increase of the proportion of insomnia in the elderly, compared with the elderly with normal sleep quality, the elderly with long-term insomnia are more likely to have dizziness, fatigue, and decreased immunity. Acupuncture has shown good effects in the treatment of insomnia. At present, there is a lack of systematic review on acupuncture in the treatment of senile insomnia. We conduct this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of senile insomnia.Methods:We will search Chinese and English databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific and Journal Database, Wan Fang database (Wanfang), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library to identify articles of randomized clinical trials of acupuncture for senile insomnia. All above electronic databases will be searched from inception to September 1, 2021. RevMan 5.3 software will be used to conduct this systematic review.Results:The study will prove the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for senile insomnia.Conclusion:We plan to submit this systematic review to a peer-reviewed journal.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY202160106.     

Efficacy of acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic nephritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Chronic nephritis is a common kidney disease that afflicts people worldwide. The disease has main manifestations of proteinuria, hematuria, edema, and hypertension that are associated with kidney-damaging processes that eventually lead to kidney failure. Traditional Chinese medicine involving combination treatment with herbal remedies and acupuncture has been shown clinically to alleviate chronic nephritis, although to date no systematic review of the efficacy of this combination treatment for this purpose has been reported, prompting this study. Here we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials to scientific evidence and credible medical references supporting the clinical efficacy of this combination treatment when used to treat chronic nephritis.Methods:We will search the following 8 electronic Chinese and English databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Scientific Journal Database, and the Wanfang database. All electronic databases will be searched from inception to October 10, 2021. All statistical analyses will be performed using Review Manager Version 5.4 provided by the Cochrane Collaboration Network.Results:The protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis will be applied to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic nephritis.Conclusion:We plan to submit the results of this research to a peer-reviewed journal.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY2021100051.     

Effectiveness comparisons of acupuncture treatments for vascular dementia: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background:Vascular dementia (VD) is the second most common form of dementia in the world. Acupuncture therapy has been widely used in clinical treatment. Based on the available evidence, we will rank different acupuncture therapy to determine the most effective acupuncture therapy.Methods:We will search the following database, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and Chinese Scientific Journals Database database, in order to collect randomized controlled trials on acupuncture in the treatment of VD. We will use Stata 14.2 and WinBUGS 1.4.3 software for Bayesian network meta-analysis and finally evaluated the level of evidence of the results.Results:This study will compare and rank the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of vascular dementia. Outcome indicators included Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive section and Mini-mental State Examination, Activity of Daily Living, Blessed dementia scale, Hastgawa Dementia Scale, and adverse events.Conclusion:Our study will provide support for clinical practice.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY2020110088.     

Effectiveness and safety of warm needle acupuncture on lumbar muscles strain: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis

Background:Lumbar muscle strain (LMS) is the most common orthopedic syndrome, with high incidence globally and lingering disease, which seriously affects patients’ work efficiency and quality of life. Warm needle acupuncture (WNA) is a treatment method combining acupuncture technology with warm and medicinal effect of moxibustion. It has outstanding curative effect and wide range of treatment, especially in the treatment of pain diseases. We aim to collect clinical evidence and demonstrate the efficacy and safety of WNA on LMS.Methods/design:We will search the following database sources for the randomized controlled trials: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Web of Science, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (TCTRP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), and the Wanfang Database.All randomized controlled trials of WNA for lumbar muscle strain (LMS) in the above database will be considered for inclusion, and high-quality articles will be screened for data extraction and analysis, to summarize the therapeutic effect of WNA on LMS patients.Result:This study will provide a rational synthesis of current evidences for warm needle acupuncture on lumbar muscle strain.Conclusion:The conclusion of this study will provide evidence to judge the effectiveness and safety of WNA on LMS.Trial registration:INPLASY2020120100 (DOI number: 10.37766/inplasy2020.12.0100).     

Effectiveness of Tong-Xie-Yao-Fang combined with Si-Ni-San for irritable bowel syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has a high morbidity rate worldwide, but there are no effective treatment measures, which seriously affect people''s lives. Previous clinical studies on Tong-Xie-Yao-Fang (TXYF) combined with Si-Ni-San (SNS) in the treatment of IBS have been increasing, but there is no systematic evaluation. This study aims to systematically study the effectiveness of TXYF combined with SNS in the treatment of IBS.Methods:The PubMed, EMBASE, Science Network, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature, Wanfang Chinese Digital Journal and Conference Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database and VIP China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) will be used Search related literature, and the search time is from the date of establishment to February 2021. The National Institutes of Health clinical registry Clinical Trials, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and the Chinese clinical trial registration platform will be searched to find ongoing or unpublished trials. After screening the literature according to the criteria, two researchers independently extracted data according to a predetermined table. The primary outcome is total effective rate. The RevMan 5.3.5 software will be used for statistical analysis. Finally, the recommendation, evaluation, development and evaluation system will be used to evaluate the quality evidence for each result.Results:This study will provide the latest evidence of efficacy for the TXYF combined with SNS for IBS.Conclusion:The effectiveness of TXYF combined with SNS for IBS will be evaluated.Unique INPLASY number:INPLASY202120075.     

Effectiveness of acupuncture for the recovery of gastrointestinal function of patients with gastric cancer in the postoperative period: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Gastric cancer (GC) is the most common malignant tumors in the world and surgical resection remains the primary treatment for it. Postoperative patients often suffer from gastrointestinal dysfunction as the most common side effects of surgery for GC patients. Acupuncture has a regulatory effect on gastrointestinal function. We conducted this study to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture on the restoration of gastrointestinal function of postoperative patients with GC.Methods:Seven electronic databases will be searched from inception to November 2020 to identify any relevant study: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). No restriction on time and language. The primary outcome measure will be the Time to First Flatus and secondary outcome measures include the time of first defecation and the quality of life (QOL) and the number of patients with abdominal distention. We will use EndNote V.9.1 to screen the eligible literature and the I² statistic to assess heterogeneity in the included studies. The meta-analysis will be conducted using the Review Manager (RevMan) software (V.5.3).Results:Our study aims to systematically assess whether the pooled effects of currently available trials prove effects of acupuncture in improving gastrointestinal function of patients with GC in the postoperative period.Conclusion:This study will conduct an evaluation about the efficacy of acupuncture for the recovery of gastrointestinal function of patients with GC in the postoperative period, making up for the lack of relevant clinical evidence.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY2020110066.     

Acupuncture for opioid-induced constipation: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is one of the most common complications of analgesic therapy for cancer pain patients who suffer moderate to severe pain. Acupuncture as an effective treatment in constipation has been widely applied. But its efficacy has not been assessed systematically. Thus, the purpose of this study is to provide a protocol to explore the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for OIC.Methods:Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) of acupuncture treatment for OIC in 4 Chinese electronic databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biological and Medical Database, China Scientific Journal Database, Wan-Fang Data) and 3 English electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library) will be searched from their inception to September 31, 2020. RevMan 5.3 software and Stata 14.0 software will be used for meta-analysis, EndNote X9.2 and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool will be used for literature screening and quality assessment.Results:This study will present an assessment of the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment for OIC patients through summarize high-quality clinical evidence.Conclusion:The conclusion of our systematic review and meta-analysis may provide evidence of whether acupuncture treatment is beneficial to patients with OIC.INPLASY registration number: INPLASY2020100026.     

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with analgesics on lung cancer pain: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Lung cancer (LC) is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence in the world, and treatment methods include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Cancer pain is a common symptom in patients with LC, and the clinical treatment is to relieve it with analgesics. Acupuncture can relieve cancer pain. This study aims to systematically study the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with analgesics on cancer pain in patients with LC.Methods:From the beginning to April 2021, search Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Controlled Trials Register (Central), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Science Journal Database (VIP database). Search the international clinical trial registration platform and the Chinese clinical trial registration platform to find ongoing or unpublished trials. The main outcome indicator is the total effective rate of analgesia, and the secondary outcome indicator is pain intensity score and adverse reactions. The RevMan 5.4 software will be used for statistical analysis.Results:This study will provide the latest evidence for acupuncture combined with analgesics to relieve LC pain.Conclusion:The conclusion of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture combined with analgesics in alleviating LC pain.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY202150051     

Effect of acupuncture treatment on cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury in adults: A protocol for systematic review

Background:Acupuncture has been widely used to treat cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury (TBI). But its efficiency has not been scientifically and methodically evaluated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency and safety of the acupuncture treatment for cognitive impairment after TBI in adults.Methods:This protocol of systematic review will be conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols. We will conduct the literature searching in the following electronic databases: the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Springer, the Chinese Science Citation Database (CSCD), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Wanfang, and the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP). The time limit for retrieving studies is from establishment to November 2021 for each database. All published randomized controlled trials related to this review will be included. Review Manager (V.5.3.5) will be implemented for the assessment of bias risk and data analyses. The selection of the studies, data abstraction, and validations will be performed independently by 2 researchers.Results:This review will assess the clinical efficacy and safety, as well as the acupoints characteristics of acupuncture on CI of TBI in adults.Conclusion:This review will summarize the current evidence of acupuncture on CI of TBI outcomes and provide guidance for clinicians and patients to select acupuncture for CI of TBI in adults.Trail registration number:This protocol of systematic review has been registered on INPLASY website (No. INPLASY2021110113).     

The efficacy of moxibustion and acupuncture therapy for ankylosing spondylitis: A protocol for an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis

Background:Ankylosing spondylitis is a complex and progressive autoimmune inflammatory disease with a worldwide prevalence ranging up to 0.9%. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses of traditional Chinese medicine alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or moxibustion, have demonstrated the effectiveness of moxibustion and acupuncture in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. However, there is no relevant literature to comprehensively evaluate the evidence. The purpose of this overview is to synthesize and evaluate the reliability of evidence generated in the systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis of moxibustion and acupuncture as a primary or complementary therapy for patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Methods:PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese VIP Information, Wanfang Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analysis that review the efficacy of acupuncture or moxibustion as the primary treatment for patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. The literature published before August 2020 will be selected. Additionally, the relevant SRs and meta-analyses that unpublished or ongoing will be searched in PROSPERO and INPLASY. The methodological guidelines for overviews will be used to review and extract data by 2 reviewers, and their will do it independently. Methodology quality will be analyzed by the assessment of multiple systematic reviews-2and the risk of bias by POBIS. For the included studies, we will adopt the following results as primary evaluation indicators: effective rate, visual analogue scale and bath AS disease activity index. Reviewers will assess the certainty of evidence by Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.Results:The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Conclusion:This overview will provide comprehensive evidence of moxibustion and acupuncture for patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.     

Effectiveness of Banxia Xiexin Decoction in the treatment of precancerous lesions: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Gastric precancerous lesion (GPL) is a necessary stage in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. At present, the incidence of gastric cancer is increasing year by year. It is important to prevent and control gastric cancer through early detection and intervention. Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXD) has a good effect in improving symptoms, reducing inflammation, promoting the repair of gastric mucosa, reversing its atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. BXD may be a foreground choice for the treatment of GPL.Methods:Randomized controlled trials of BXD for GPL will be searched in the relevant database, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). The studies of electronic searches will be exported to EndNote V.9.1 software. We will run meta-analyses using the Review Manager (RevMan) V.5.3 software. Any disagreement will be solved in consultation with a third reviewer.Results:Our study aims to explore the efficacy of BXD for GPL and to provide up-to-date evidence for clinical of GPL.Conclusion:The conclusion of this study will provide evidence for the efficacy of BXD on GPL.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY 202130102.     

Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic severe functional constipation: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Acupuncture has been widely used clinically to relieve chronic severe constipation. However, the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic severe constipation is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic severe constipation.Methods:Search PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database, China Science, and Technology Journal Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, and search related randomized controlled trials. Two reviewers will independently select studies, collect data, and evaluate methodological quality through the Cochrane Deviation Risk Tool. Revman V.5.3 will be used for meta-analysis.Results:This study will evaluate the current status of acupuncture treatment for chronic severe constipation, aiming to illustrate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment.Conclusion:This study will provide a basis for judging whether acupotomy is effective in treating chronic severe constipation.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY202070002     

Comparison of therapeutic effects of different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies on irritable bowel syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background:Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with recurrent abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. Many pieces of evidence show that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy has advantages in the treatment of IBS, but there are many acupuncture and moxibustion therapy options, each of which has different therapeutic effects. This study will evaluate the clinical efficacy of different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in the treatment of IBS by means of a network meta-analysis.Methods:According to the retrieval strategy, we retrieved the randomized controlled trials of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of IBS from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, Chinese biomedical databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases from the database establishment to July 2021. We assessed the quality of the studies using the Cochrane Risk Bias Assessment Tool and assessed the strength of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. All data analyses were performed by RevMan5.3, Gemtc 0.14.3, and Stata 14.0.Results:This study evaluated the efficacy of different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in the treatment of IBS by evaluating the clinical efficacy rate, symptom scores, quality of life scores, adverse reactions, etc, and further explore the mechanism of action of each therapy.Conclusion:This study will provide a reliable evidence-based basis for selecting the best acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for IBS.Ethics and dissemination:Private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also does not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval will not be required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated at relevant conferences.OSF Registration number:DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/3278Y     

Efficacy and safety evaluation of acupuncture in the treatment of impaired glucose regulation: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Impaired of glucose regulation belongs to the stage of prediabetes, which is a state of glucose metabolism between diabetes and normal blood glucose. The prevalence of prediabetes in people over 20 years old in China is significantly higher than that in diabetic patients. If no measures are taken to prevent the transition from prediabetes to diabetes, the number of diabetic patients in China will further increase. This study conducted a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of impaired glucose regulation by collecting relevant literatures.Methods:Nine electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific and Journal Database, Wan Fang database, and 2 clinical trials register platforms: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ClinicalTrials.gov (www.ClinicalTrials.gov/) will be searched for randomized clinical trails of acupuncture for impaired glucose regulation. The screening process will be developed by 2 independent reviewers, and meta-analysis will be performed with RevMan (V5.3.5) software.Results:This meta-analysis further confirmed the benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of impaired of glucose regulation.Conclusion:This study will provide a high-quality evidence of the efficacy and safety of acupuncture on patients with impaired glucose regulation.PROSPERO registration number:INPLASY202170058.Ethics and dissemination:This systematics review will evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of impaired of glucose regulation. Since all the data included were published, the systematic review did not require ethical approval.     

Safety and efficacy of auricular acupuncture in patients with depression after percutaneous coronary intervention: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:With the advantages of miniature damage and optimal effectiveness, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been performed in a large number of coronary artery disease patients. However, recent studies have indicated a higher incidence of depression on post-PCI patients. Acupuncture therapy is effective for depression. As a form of acupuncture, the auricular acupuncture has been used to relieve symptoms in patients with post-PCI depression, but its effectiveness and safety have not yet reached a definitive conclusion. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis protocol is planned to evaluate the efficacy and safety of auricular acupuncture for depression in post-PCI patients.Methods:Six English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Springer Cochrane Library, and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) and 4 Chinese databases (Wan Fang Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database) will be searched normatively according to the rule of each database from the inception to February 1, 2022. Two reviewers will independently conduct article selection, data collection, and risk of bias evaluation. Any disagreement will be resolved by discussion with the third reviewer. Either the fixed-effects or random-effects model will be used for data synthesis based on the heterogeneity test. The change in the scores on the Hamilton Depression Scale and the Self-rating Depression Scale will be used as the main outcome measure. All-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, rehospitalisation rate, and Quality of Life Scale as the secondary outcome. Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale, general physical examination (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure), routine examination of blood, urine and stool, electrocardiogram, liver and kidney function examination as the security indexes. RevMan 5.3.5 will be used for meta-analysis.Results:This study will provide high-quality evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of auricular acupuncture for depression in post-PCI patients.Conclusion:This systematic review will explore whether auricular acupuncture is an effective and safe intervention for depression in post-PCI patients.INPLASY registration number:INPLASY202230003.     

Efficacy of acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine on chronic prostatitis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Chronic prostatitis is a common andrological disease, which brings many troubles to the lives of middle-aged and elderly male patients. With the increase of modern life pressure, the incidence of chronic prostatitis tends to younger, but its etiology and pathogenesis are not fully elucidated. Which seriously affects men''s health? Relevant studies have shown that acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a good effect on the treatment of chronic prostatitis compared with conventional western medicine; however, there is no consistent conclusion at present. The main purpose of this study is to explore whether acupuncture combined with TCM is effective in treating chronic prostatitis.Methods:The collection of randomized controlled trials related to acupuncture and TCM for chronic prostatitis will search the following electronic databases, including: PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Database, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Weipu. There are 8 electronic databases including the VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database and the China Biomedical Literature Database. The cure rate and total effective rate are the main indicators, and the recurrence rate and adverse events are the secondary indicators. Meta-analysis using RevMan5.4 provided by Cochrane Collaboration.Results:This study will provide the latest evidence of efficacy for the acupuncture combined with TCM in the treatment of chronic prostatitis.Conclusion:The effectiveness of acupuncture combined with TCM for chronic prostatitis will be evaluated.Unique INPLASY number:INPLASY202130083.