Comparative Efficacy of Different Acupuncture-Related Therapies for Primary Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis Protocol

Abstract

Background

Acupuncture is considered as a potential treatment option for primary tinnitus, as there is a lack of conventional therapies with well-established efficacy. However, there are limited studies that compare the effectiveness of different acupuncture therapies. Thus, this systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol aims to compare the efficacy of various acupuncture-related therapies for primary tinnitus, and determine the optimal treatment.

Methods

A comprehensive search of 10 representative databases will be conducted to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding multiple acupuncture-related therapies for primary tinnitus. Two independent researchers will extract data individually, and the methodological quality of each RCT will be assessed using Cochrane’s risk of bias 2.0 tool. Standard pairwise meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis will be conducted, and WinBUGS V.1.4.3 and R 3.6.2 software will be adopted to synthesize network data and generate relevant graphs. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and assessment of publication bias will be conducted as appropriate.

Discussion

This study’s results are anticipated to identify the optimal acupuncture technique for treating primary tinnitus, thereby providing evidence-based clinical decisions for patients and clinicians to select the most effective acupuncture treatment.

Prospero Registration Number

CRD42023399621.

Keywords:

• acupuncture
• moxibustion
• tinnitus
• meta-analysis
• protocol

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Zhejiang Province Public Welfare Technology Application Research (grant number: LTGY23H270003), Zhejiang Provincial Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine Experts Inheritance Studio Construction Project (grant number: GZS2021027) and Project of Zhejiang Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (grant number: 2018ZA058, 2021ZB097). The funders did not and will not have a role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.