Rehabilitation training combined acupuncture for limb hemiplegia caused by cerebral hemorrhage: A protocol for a systematic review of randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that rehabilitation training combined acupuncture (RTA) can be used for the treatment of limb hemiplegia (LH) caused by cerebral hemorrhage (CH). However, its effectiveness is still unclear. In this systematic review study, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of RTA for LH following CH. METHODS: We will retrieve the databases of CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDILINE, CINAHL, AMED, CBM, and CNKI from inception to March 1, 2019 with no language restrictions. The randomized controlled trials of RTA for evaluating effectiveness and safety in patients with LH following CH will be included. Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to measure the methodological quality for all included studies. Two authors will independently select the studies, extract the data, and assess the methodological quality of included studies. A third author will be invited to discuss if any disagreements exist between 2 authors. If more than 2 eligible studies will be included, the outcome data will be pooled, and meta-analysis will be conducted if it is possible. RESULTS: This systematic review will assess the effectiveness and safety of RTA for LH caused by CH. The primary outcome includes limbs function. The secondary outcomes consist of muscle strength, muscle tone, quality of life, and any adverse events. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will summarize the current evidence of RTA for LH caused by CH, and may provide helpful evidence for the clinical treatment. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals or will be presented on conference meeting. This work does not require ethic approval, because it will be conducted based on the published studies. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42019120034.