Acupuncture for breathlessness in COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health concern.
• Breathlessness (dyspnea) is a common and debilitating symptom in COVID-19 patients.
• Acupuncture is being explored for its potential therapeutic benefits in managing COVID-19-related symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for breathlessness in COVID-19 patients.
• To assess the safety profile of acupuncture when used for COVID-19-related dyspnea.
• To provide evidence-based guidance for integrating acupuncture into clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be conducted.
• Searches will cover 7 electronic databases and clinical trial registers up to June 30, 2020.
• Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment will be performed independently by two investigators.

Main Results:

• The study aims to indicate the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for dyspnea in COVID-19.
• Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, contributing to scientific literature.
• The findings will highlight the potential role of acupuncture in managing respiratory distress.

Conclusions:

• This research will establish a foundational reference for optimizing treatment strategies for COVID-19 patients experiencing breathlessness.
• The study contributes to understanding complementary therapies for post-viral respiratory complications.
• Evidence generated will support informed clinical decision-making regarding acupuncture use.