Acupuncture-moxibustion for lung cancer patient-reported outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Abstract

Background

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers globally with high incidence and mortality rate. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been used as adjuvant therapies to relieve the symptoms and complications of lung cancer. At present, acupuncture and moxibustion can partially improve the quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients. However, the evidence that acupuncture and moxibustion can improve patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with lung cancer is still insufficient. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine whether acupuncture and moxibustion can improve PROs among patients with lung cancer, providing a support basis for acupuncture and moxibustion inclusion in relevant guidelines.

Methods

We will search the following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, CQVIP, Wanfang Data, Sinomed, and gray literature including the ClinicalTrials.gov Database (clinicaltrials.gov) and Chinese Clinical Trial Register (chictr.org.cn). All English and Chinese articles will be searched until July 1, 2021. Two researchers independently extracted data. Any disagreement was resolved by discussion until consensus was reached or by consulting a third researcher. The primary outcomes mainly included the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), functional assessment of cancer therapy-lung (FACT-L), and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). The secondary outcomes included improvement of individual lung cancer-related symptoms and the safety of acupuncture intervention.

Discussion

Our study is the first to focus on the PROs of acupuncture and moxibustion for lung cancer treatment. The results will contribute to a deeper understanding of the evidence distribution of acupuncture and moxibustion in PROs, which may support the use of acupuncture and moxibustion in lung cancer patients.

Clinical trial registration number

CRD42021274122.