Acupoint catgut embedding for chronic low back pain: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The treatment of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) effective and safe for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) is not yet known. This systematic review will objectively and systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of ACE in CLBP according to the existing evidence. Methods: The protocol of this systematic review and meta-analyses has been registered in PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42019142256. The following electronic databases from inception to November 29, 2022 will be searched: PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang Data and Chinese Science Journal Database. Randomised controlled clinical(RCTs) using ACE to treat CLBP will be included. Outcomes will include pain intensity, instrument with assessment function and disability, quality-of-life, and costs. Adverse events will be reported for safety assessment. By screening the titles, abstracts, and full texts, two independent reviewers will select studies, extract data, and assess study quality. Data synthesis, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and risk of bias assessment will be conducted using RevmanV.5.3 software. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system will be used to assess the quality of the evidence. Results: The efficacy and safety of ACE in the treatment of CLBP has not yet been determined. Conclusion: This systematic review will objectively and systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of ACE in CLBP according to the existing evidence, which can give high level clinical recommendations to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.