Efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for asymptomatic infection of COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy for asymptomatic infection of COVID-19. METHODS: The following electronic databases will be searched from December 2019 to December 2020: MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan-fang database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Databases (CBM), and other databases. All published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about this topic will be included. Two independent researchers will operate article retrieval, duplication removing, screening, quality evaluation, and data analyses by Review Manager (V.5.3.5). Meta-analyses, subgroup analysis, and/or descriptive analysis will be performed based on the included data conditions. RESULTS: High-quality synthesis and/or descriptive analysis of current evidence will be provided from the time of negative nucleic acid detection for 2 consecutive times (not on the same day), cure rate, converting to clinical diagnosis rate, and side effects of acupuncture. CONCLUSION: This study will provide the evidence of whether acupuncture is an effective and safe intervention for asymptomatic infection of COVID-19. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD 42020179729.