Key Finding
This protocol establishes methodology for systematically evaluating whether acupuncture is an effective and safe non-pharmacological intervention for managing chemotherapy-induced diarrhea in colorectal cancer patients.
Researchers are planning a comprehensive review to examine whether acupuncture can help colorectal cancer patients who experience diarrhea as a side effect of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) is a common and distressing complication that can affect treatment outcomes and even increase mortality risks. This study aims to evaluate whether acupuncture—a traditional Chinese medicine technique—might offer a safe, non-drug option for managing this condition.
The research team will search eight major medical databases to find all relevant randomized controlled trials that have tested acupuncture for CID in colorectal cancer patients. They'll look at studies published in any language to ensure they capture all available evidence. The reviewers will evaluate two main outcomes: how acupuncture affects the severity of diarrhea (measured using standardized scoring systems) and how long diarrhea episodes last. They'll also examine safety by tracking any adverse reactions to acupuncture and assess whether the treatment improves patients' overall quality of life.
This systematic review represents an important step in determining whether acupuncture should be recommended as part of standard care for chemotherapy-induced diarrhea. The findings could help patients and their oncology teams make more informed decisions about incorporating acupuncture into comprehensive cancer care plans. If the evidence shows benefits, acupuncture could offer patients a valuable tool for managing this challenging side effect without adding more medications to their treatment regimen. The results may be particularly relevant for patients seeking complementary approaches to support their conventional cancer treatment. If you're considering acupuncture for chemotherapy side effects, consult with a licensed acupuncturist experienced in oncology support care.
This protocol outlines a systematic review and meta-analysis examining acupuncture efficacy and safety for chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) in colorectal cancer patients. The methodology includes comprehensive searches of eight databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CENTRAL, CNKI, Wanfang, CBM, VIP) without language restrictions, focusing exclusively on randomized controlled trials. Primary outcomes include diarrhea severity changes measured by IBS-SSS classifications and episode duration modifications. Secondary endpoints encompass adverse events and quality-of-life assessments via EORTC QLQ-C30. Two independent reviewers will conduct bias assessment using Cochrane RoB2 tool, with meta-analysis performed using RevMan 5.3. As this is a protocol paper, no results are yet available—the review aims to synthesize existing evidence on whether acupuncture represents a viable adjunctive therapy for CID management. The completed review will provide clinicians with evidence-based guidance on integrating acupuncture into oncology supportive care protocols for this common and clinically significant chemotherapy complication.
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