Acupuncture for treating sciatica: a systematic review protocol.
BACKGROUND
This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating sciatica.


METHODS
The following nine databases will be searched from their inception to 30 October 2014: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), the Chinese Medical Current Content (CMCC), the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database), the Wan-Fang Database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Citation Information by National Institute of Informatics (CiNii). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for sciatica in English, Chinese or Japanese without restriction of publication status will be included. Two researchers will independently undertake study selection, extraction of data and assessment of study quality. Meta-analysis will be conducted after screening of studies. Data will be analysed using risk ratio for dichotomous data, and standardised mean difference or weighted mean difference for continuous data.


RESULTS
This systematic review will be disseminated electronically through a peer-reviewed publication or conference presentations.


BACKGROUND
PROSPERO CRD42014015001.
Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Zongshi
Z
Qin
Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Xiaoxu
X
Liu
Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Qin
Q
Yao
Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Yanbing
Y
Zhai
Department of Acupuncture, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Zhishun
Z
Liu
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012585:Sciatica / Q000628:therapy*; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic
COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE; PAIN MANAGEMENT