Acupuncture for chronic constipation in patients with diabetes mellitus: A protocol for systematic review

BACKGROUND: Assessing the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for chronic constipation in patients with diabetes mellitus is the main purpose of this systematic review protocol. METHODS: The following electronic databases will be searched from their respective inception dates to December 1st 2020: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, World Science Net, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, the Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database and the Wanfang Database. All published randomized controlled trials in English or Chinese related to acupuncture for constipation in patient with diabetes mellitus will be included. The Bristol stool scale, spontaneous complete bowel movements, and observing symptoms (yes/no) including defecation feeling, defecation weakness, feeling of incomplete evacuation, bloating, and flatulence were considered as primary measures. The treatment efficiency consideration according to Bristol stool scale was considered as secondary measure. Two reviewers will conduct the study selection, data extraction and assessment independently. The assessment of risk of bias and data synthesis will be conducted with Review Manager Software (RevMan) V.5.2. RESULTS: The results will provide a high-quality synthesis of current evidence for researchers in this subject area. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of our study will provide an evidence to judge whether. Acupuncture is an effective intervention for chronic constipation in patients with diabetes mellitus. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Formal ethical approval is not necessary as the data cannot be individualized. The results of this protocol will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal or presented at relevant conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202110079.