Linggui Zhugan Decoction for peripheral vertigo: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Vertigo is a sense of movement or rotation of the patient's own or an external object. At present, western medicine treatment such as vestibular suppressant medications commonly used in clinical practice are ineffective and have adverse reactions. In traditional Chinese medicine, Linggui Zhugan Decoction (LZD) was used by doctors to warm yang for resolving fluid retention, strengthen the spleen and clear away dampness, with significant effect. Recently, some clinical studies have also shown that LZD has reliable effect in treating peripheral vertigo, but there is no systematic evidence. Therefore, this study aims to objectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of LZD in the treatment of peripheral vertigo. METHODS: Eight electronic databases will be searched from inception to August 2020 by 2 independent researchers, in order to collect qualified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the LZD treatment for peripheral vertigo. The therapeutic effects according to Clinical efficacy will be adopted as the primary outcomes. RevMan V.5.3 software will be used for the data synthesis and the Cochrane's risk of bias assessment tool will be used to assess the risk of bias. RESULTS: This review will conduct a high-quality synthesis on present evidence of LZD for peripheral vertigo. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of the study will indicate whether LZD is an effective treatment for peripheral vertigo by providing updated evidence. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD 42021238817.