title: The effectiveness of acupuncture on pain, physical function and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review protocol.
abstract: The objective of this review is to identify and synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture on pain, physical function and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.More specifically, the review questions are:• Is acupuncture effective in improving health-related quality of life in patients with RA?• Is acupuncture effective in relieving pain in patients with RA?• Is acupuncture effective in improving physical function in patients with RA?
authors.affiliation: 1Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal 2Institute of Science Biomedicine Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal 3Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC), Portugal Centre for Evidence Based Practice: a Collaborating Centre of the Joanna Briggs Institute, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seca
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Greten
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cabrita
authors.forename: Manuel Alves
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D059408:Pain Management; D011788:Quality of Life; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic