Comparative Efficacy of Different Acupuncture-Related Therapies for Primary Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis Protocol

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture is considered as a potential treatment option for primary tinnitus, as there is a lack of conventional therapies with well-established efficacy. However, there are limited studies that compare the effectiveness of different acupuncture therapies. Thus, this systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol aims to compare the efficacy of various acupuncture-related therapies for primary tinnitus, and determine the optimal treatment. METHODS: A comprehensive search of 10 representative databases will be conducted to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding multiple acupuncture-related therapies for primary tinnitus. Two independent researchers will extract data individually, and the methodological quality of each RCT will be assessed using Cochrane’s risk of bias 2.0 tool. Standard pairwise meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis will be conducted, and WinBUGS V.1.4.3 and R 3.6.2 software will be adopted to synthesize network data and generate relevant graphs. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and assessment of publication bias will be conducted as appropriate. DISCUSSION: This study’s results are anticipated to identify the optimal acupuncture technique for treating primary tinnitus, thereby providing evidence-based clinical decisions for patients and clinicians to select the most effective acupuncture treatment. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023399621.