Effectiveness comparisons of acupuncture for premature ejaculation: Protocol for a network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: As one of the common male sexual dysfunction diseases, the treatment effect of premature ejaculation is often difficult to guarantee. In China, there are many randomized clinical trials that confirm that acupuncture has a good therapeutic effect on premature ejaculation. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for premature ejaculation from intravaginal ejaculation latency (IELT), premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT), Arab premature ejaculation index (AIPE), and premature ejaculation index (IPE). METHODS: We will use PubMed, EMBASE, Nursing and Related Health Literature Cumulative Index, Joint and Supplemental Drug Database, Cochrane Center Controlled Trials Registry (CENTRAL), China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) and China Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), The Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), and Wanfang Database conduct systematic searches until October 31, 2018. At the same time, manually search for gray documents, including unpublished meeting articles. The primary outcome included intravaginal ejaculation latency (IELT). Secondary outcomes were premature ejaculation diagnostic tools (PEDT), Arab premature ejaculation index (AIPE), and premature ejaculation index (IPE). The quality and evidence that the risk of inclusion of the BiB tool will be assessed will be assessed on a scale. RESULTS: This study will generate a comprehensive review of current evidence of acupuncture for premature ejaculation. CONCLUSION: The study will provide updated evidence to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for premature ejaculation. ETHICS AND COMMUNICATION: Because this research is based on a meta-analysis of published research, ethical recognition and patient consent are unnecessary. AGREEMENT REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42018111661.