Acupuncture for treating alopecia areata: a protocol of systematic review of randomised clinical trials.
BACKGROUND
Acupuncture is frequently used in dermatology for treating a number of skin disorders. There is no critically appraised evidence of the potential benefits and harm of acupuncture for alopecia areata (AA). This review aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for the management of AA in randomised clinical trials (RCTs).


METHODS
13 databases will be searched from their inception. These include PubMed, AMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, 6 Korean medical databases (Koreanstudies Information Service System, DBPIA, The Town Society of Science Technology, Research Information Sharing Service, KoreaMed and the Korean National Assembly Library), 3 Chinese Databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP) and the Wanfang Database). Only randomised clinical trials (RCTs) using any type of acupuncture for AA will be considered. The selection of the studies, data abstraction and validation will be performed independently by two researchers. Methodological quality will be assessed with Cochrane risk of bias.


RESULTS
The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review will also be disseminated electronically and in print. Updates of the review will be conducted to inform and guide the healthcare practice and policy.


BACKGROUND
PROSPERO 2015: CRD42015020397.
KM Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
Hye Won
HW
Lee
Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
Ji Hee
JH
Jun
KM Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
Ju Ah
JA
Lee
Department of Nursing, Chodang University, Muan, South Korea.
Hyun-Ja
HJ
Lim
Department of Nursing, Howon University, Kunsan, South Korea.
Hyun-Suk
HS
Lim
Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
Myeong Soo
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0987-9093
MS
Lee
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000628:therapy*; D015982:Bias; D002681:China; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE; DERMATOLOGY