Herbal medicine (Danggui Liuhuang decoction) for managing menopausal symptoms: A protocol of systematic review of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND: Danggui Liuhuang (DLH) decoction is a traditional herbal medicine that is widely used in East Asia to treat menopausal symptoms. Most of the available clinical trials that investigated DLH decoction have been included in this review. The objectives of this protocol are to provide the information of how to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of DLH decoction for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Fourteen databases will be searched from inception until February 2018. We will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing any type of DLH decoction. All RCTs investigating DLH decoction or modified DLH decoction will be included. The methodological quality of the RCTs will be evaluated using the Cochrane's risk of bias assessment tool. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The full systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review will also be disseminated electronically and in print. Updates of the review will be conducted to inform and guide healthcare practice and policy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO 2017 CRD42017079189