Effectiveness of different acupuncture courses for functional constipation: A protocol for systematic review and...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Integrative Medicine
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

• Functional constipation (FC) affects a significant portion of the population, leading to reduced quality of life.
• Current treatment options for FC have limitations, necessitating exploration of alternative therapies.
• Acupuncture is a widely used traditional therapy with potential benefits for gastrointestinal disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various acupuncture courses for treating functional constipation.
• To rank different acupuncture interventions based on their efficacy and safety profiles.
• To provide evidence-based guidance for clinicians in selecting optimal acupuncture treatments for FC patients.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across eight major databases up to October 2019.
• Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different acupuncture courses, or acupuncture against sham/placebo, were included.
• Network meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3, STATA V.14.0, and GeMTC software, assessing outcomes like stool frequency, Bristol score, and responder rates.

Main Results:

• This study will synthesize existing evidence to compare the efficacy of diverse acupuncture treatments for FC.
• The analysis will rank interventions based on comparative effectiveness.
• Results will be published to inform clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• The findings are expected to guide healthcare providers in selecting the most beneficial acupuncture strategies for managing functional constipation.
• This network meta-analysis will contribute to evidence-based decision-making in FC management.
• Optimizing acupuncture treatment protocols can lead to improved patient outcomes and symptom relief.