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Introduction Traditional medicine (TM) is an important part of healthcare either as the main healthcare system or as a complement to conventional medicine. The effectiveness of TM has been assessed in clinical trials that have been synthesised into thousands of systematic reviews (SRs). This study is commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is aimed at providing a systematic map of SRs of TM interventions across health conditions, as well as identifying gaps in the research literature in order to prioritise future primary research.Methods and analysis This is the protocol for a systematic map of SRs reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P). We will search 17 electronic databases to identify SRs of TM. The literature search covers the last 5 years, from January 2018 to December 2022. At least two independent reviewers will perform the database search, screening of eligible SRs, data extraction and quality assessments using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR 2). The characteristics and extent of SRs will be analysed according to disease classification, and type of TM intervention, and visualised by means of (interactive) graphical maps.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval is not required as this is a systematic map of published studies. The findings of the study will be disseminated through online-available maps, presentations and scientific publications.PROSPERO registration number CRD42023416355.

Introduction: 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 and analysis: 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. Ethics and dissemination: 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the clinical evidence for bee venom acupuncture (BVA) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Design: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Setting: We searched 14 databases up to March 2014 without a language restriction. Participants: Patients with RA. Intervention: BVA involved injecting purified, diluted BV into acupoints. We included trials on BVA used alone or in combination with a conventional therapy versus the conventional therapy alone. Primary outcomes: Morning stiffness, pain and joint swelling Secondary outcomes: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor, the number of joints affected by RA and adverse effects likely related to RA. Results: A total of 304 potentially relevant studies were identified; only one RCT met our inclusion criteria. Compared with placebo, BVA may more effectively improve joint pain, swollen joint counts, tender joint counts, ESR and CRP but was not shown to improve morning stiffness. Conclusions: There is low-quality evidence, based on one trial, that BVA can significantly reduce pain, morning stiffness, tender joint counts, swollen joint counts and improve the quality of life of patients with RA compared with placebo (normal saline injection) control. However, the number of trials, their quality and the total sample size were too low to draw firm conclusions. Trial registration number: PROSPERO 2013: CRD42013005853. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To assess the efficacy of herbal medicines as a treatment of cancer cachexia. Methods and analysis: We will search the following 13 electronic databases from their inception. MEDLINE (PubMed), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Journal Integration Platform (VIP) and six Korean Medical Databases (KoreaMed, the Korean Traditional knowledge Portal, OASIS, DBPIA, the Research Information Service System and the Korean Studies Information Service System) without restrictions on time or language. The data will be extracted independently by two authors using predefined criteria. Disagreements will be resolved by discussion between the authors. The risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Dissemination: The review will be published in a journal. The review will also be disseminated electronically and in print. An update of the review will be conducted to inform and guide healthcare practice and policy. Trial registration number: PROSPERO 2013: CRD42013006612. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This systematic review aims to analyse the trial data on the effects of bee venom acupuncture (BVA) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods and analysis: The following 14 databases will be searched from their inception to March 2014: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), AMED, CINAHL, six Korean medical databases (OASIS, Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, Korean Studies Information Service System, KoreaMed, Korean Medical Database and DBPIA) and three Chinese databases including CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), Wanfang and VIP. The methodological quality will be assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Dissemination: The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review will also be disseminated electronically and in print. Trial registration number: PROSPERO 2013: CRD42013005853 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods and analysis: 14 databases will be searched from their inception. These include PubMed, AMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, seven Korean medical databases (Korean Studies Information Service System, DBPIA, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Research Information Service System, KoreaMed, The Town Society of Science Technology and the Korean National Assembly Library), three Chinese Databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), and the Wanfang Database). Only randomised clinical trials (RCTs) using acupuncture for COPD will be considered. The selection of the studies, data abstraction and validation will be performed ndependently by two researchers. Methodological quality will be assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias. Dissemination: The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review will also be disseminated electronically and in print. Updates of the review will be conducted to inform and guide the healthcare practice and policy. Trial registration number: PROSPERO 2013: CRD42013004824. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review is to analyse trial data on the effectiveness of a herbal medicine (Gan Mai Da Zao (GMDZ) decoction) in treating depression. Methods and analysis: 12 databases will be searched from their inception: PubMed, EMBASE, AMED, the Cochrane Library, five Korean medical databases (KoreaMed, DBpia, OASIS, the Research Information Service System (RISS) and the Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS)) and three Chinese medical databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Wanfang Database and the Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP)). Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs using a GMDZ decoction for any type of depression will be considered. The selection of the studies, data abstraction and validations will be performed independently by two researchers. Dissemination: The findings will be disseminated to appropriate audiences via peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]