Chinese herbal medicine for patients with vascular cognitive impairment no dementia: protocol for a systematic review

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this systematic review is to assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of patients with vascular cognitive impairment but no dementia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will perform a comprehensive retrieval in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Wan-fang database and other sources. After screening the studies, the methodological quality of all included trials will be assessed according to the risk of bias instrument provided by the Cochrane Collaboration. A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials will be conducted using RevMan V.5.3 software. Funnel plot analysis and Egger's test will be used to assess publication bias, if possible. The quality of evidence will be assessed by the GRADE system. DISSEMINATION: This systematic review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and a relevant conference presentation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD 42015023682.