Research Article: Acupuncture for protracted opioid abstinence syndrome: study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract:
Introduction Protracted opioid abstinence syndrome (POAS) refers to a series of physical discomforts and neuropsychiatric symptoms after discontinuation of opioid-type substances for a certain amount of time and is one of the main causes of relapse. Studies have shown that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of POAS. We plan to conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for POAS. Methods and analysis A comprehensive search of studies will be carried out in the following databases from inception to 31 January 2023: Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Chinese Biology Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Database and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP). WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, ClinicalTrials.gov and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry will also be searched for ongoing relevant trials, and ‘grey literatures’ will be identified from GreyNet International, OpenGrey and Google Scholar. Randomised controlled trials regarding acupuncture therapy for treatment of POAS will be included. The primary outcome is the severity of protracted withdrawal symptoms. Two reviewers will screen studies using the inclusion criteria, extract data and assess the risk of bias, respectively. The quality of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Data synthesis will be performed using RevMan V.5.4.1. Ethics and dissemination This study will not invade patients' personal privacy, and so ethical review is not required. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO registration number CRD42022382978.
Introduction:
Opioid-type substance (OTS) abuse presents a great threat to global public health. Long-term use of these substances interferes with the central neural system, especially the reward system, causing drug dependence, 1 2 and discontinuation or reduction of OTS could induce a series of physical and mental symptoms, called opioid abstinence syndrome. 3 4 Opioid abstinence syndrome can be classified into acute abstinence opioid syndrome and protracted opioid abstinence syndrome (POAS) according to the length of time…
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