METHODS: The review will only include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare the clinical effects of the
auriculotherapy intervention (used alone or as an add-on), with
sham auriculotherapy, routine treatment with
antiemetic drugs, or other non-pharmacological interventions in patients with
cancer with CINV who are undergoing
chemotherapy. The outcomes to be evaluated are
nausea and
vomiting: in acute, delayed, or anticipated stages, when induced by
chemotherapy. A comprehensive search for studies will be carried out in these databases: MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ICTRP, LILACS, CUMED, IBECS, BVS MTCI Americas, Web of Science, Scopus, PEDro, CNKI, and CBMdisc up until December 31, 2018. Only articles in English, Portuguese, and Spanish will be selected. Two independent reviewers will evaluate full texts, extract data, and assess the risk of bias of eligible articles. The quality of evidence will be assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). A meta-analysis will be undertaken to assess the interventions and outcomes' homogeneity, assessing statistical heterogeneity using the Cochran's Q test and quantified using Higgins' inconsistency index. If there is insufficient data for a meta-analysis, a narrative synthesis will be presented. This protocol has been prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (
PRISMA-P) guidelines.
DISCUSSION: The results of this systematic review will summarize the strength of evidence for the use of
auriculotherapy in the control of CINV of patients with
cancer and will be used to identify evidence gaps.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018117513.