Herbal medicine (Gyejibongneyong-hwan) for treating primary dysmenorrhoea: a protocol for a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
Gyejibongneyong-hwan (GBH), also known as Guizhi Fuling formula, and is widely used for uterine fibroids in East Asian countries. Many clinical trials assessing the efficacy and safety of GBH formula for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea have been reported. This review will assess the clinical evidence for and against the use of GBH formula as a treatment for dysmenorrhoea. It will also discuss the proposed mechanism(s) that could link herbal medicine to improvements in dysmenorrhoea.


METHODS
Fourteen databases will be searched until September 2016. We will include randomised controlled trials (RCTs) examining GBH decoctions for any type of dysmenorrhoea. All RCTs of decoctions or modified decoctions will be included. The methodological qualities of the RCTs will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias.


BACKGROUND
This systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review will also be disseminated electronically and in print. It will be updated to inform and guide healthcare practices.


BACKGROUND
CRD42015023419.
KM Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
Ju Ah
JA
Lee
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University, Daejeon, South Korea.
Sunju
S
Park
KM Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
Jeeyoun
J
Jung
Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
Ji Hee
JH
Jun
Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
Jiae
J
Choi
Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
Myeong Soo
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0987-9093
MS
Lee
Guizhi Fuling formula; Gyejibongneyong-hwan; dysmenorrhoea
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