title: Goshajinkigan for reducing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is an issue for both cancer patients and specialists, and the number of cases of CIPN is growing with the increasing number of cancer patients worldwide. CIPN is often caused by common anticancer drugs such as taxanes and platinum analogs. These are key drugs for various cancers including colorectal and gastric cancers. However, there are currently no effective drugs to prevent CIPN. Goshajinkigan, a Japanese traditional herbal medicine (Kampo), is a promising drug which is used to treat diabetic neuropathy in Japan. This systematic review will assess the efficacy and safety of Goshajinkigan for reducing CIPN in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We will conduct a comprehensive search of relevant randomized controlled trials in Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ICHUSHI. Two review authors will independently assess studies for inclusion and consult a third review author if necessary. The risk of bias of the included studies will be assessed according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool. We will investigate heterogeneity using forest plots and the chi-square test. When there are enough studies and any heterogeneity, we will use a random-effects model. Otherwise, we will use a fixed-effects model.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This is a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis and does not need ethics approval. We will disseminate the findings of this review through publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  PROSPERO CRD42016045224.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan. hoshinob@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Nobuaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hoshino
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Koya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hida
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Riki
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ganeko
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiharu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakai
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017594:Publication Bias; D012306:Risk; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C119642:gosha-jinki-gan
keywords: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy; Goshajinkigan; Protocol; Systematic review