Acupuncture for treating chronic spinal pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Chronic spinal pain is one of the most leading causes of disability among adults worldwide and is associated with significant health care use. The effect of acupuncture on chronic spinal pain seems controversial based on evidence-based perspective. Thus, we performed a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for treatment of chronic spinal pain. METHODS: This systematic review has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019120665), which will be conducted in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols 2015 statement. We will search 7 electronic databases to identify relevant studies from inception to November, 2022, which includes PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Clinical Trials Database, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Cochrane “bias risk” tool is used to assess the bias risk of the quality of the included literature. RevMan V.5.3 software will be used to analyze all data. RESULTS: A synthesis of current evidence of acupuncture for treating chronic spinal pain will be provided in this protocol. CONCLUSION: This review will provide directions and recommendations for future research and clinical practices of acupuncture for treating chronic spinal pain.