Short and long-term efficacy of massage for functional constipation: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis

BACKGROUND: Functional constipation (FC) is one of the most common diseases throughout the world, which brings a bad influence on life quality as well as mental health. Massage has been widely used in the treatment of functional constipation in china. In several randomized controlled trials indicate that massage has a positive effect on FC. However, there remain exist controversy towards its effectiveness and safety. What's more, how about the short and long-term efficacy? We, therefore, design this systematic review to assess the short and long-term effects of massage for FC. METHODS: The following electronic databases will be searched from their inception to May 2020, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science, and Technology Periodical Database (VIP). RESULTS: This systematic review will assess the short and long-term effects of massage in the treatment of FC. Conclusion: This study will provide high-quality current evidence of short and long-term effects of massage for FC. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required, for this review will not involve individuals’ information. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed publication or disseminated in relevant conferences. INPLASY Registration number: INPLASY202050001.