Background: The program aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cupping in patients with chronic urticaria (CU).
Methods: We will search the databases including PubMed, Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, China Science Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-fang Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database from their inception to May 2019. In addition, we will manually search the list of medical journals as a supplement. The clinical randomized controlled trials or quasi-randomized controlled trials related to cupping for the treatment of CU will be included in the study. Data were synthesized by using a fixed-effect model or random effect model depend on the heterogeneity test. The primary outcome is the total effective rate. Secondary outcomes include skin disease quality of life index scores, adverse events, and recurrence rates. RevMan V.5.3 statistical software will be used for meta-analysis. If it is not appropriate for a meta-analysis, then a descriptive analysis will be conducted. Data synthesis will use the risk ratio and the standardized or weighted average difference of continuous data to represent the results.
Results: This study will provide a comprehensive review of the available evidence to assess the effectiveness and safety of cupping for patients with CU.
Conclusion: This systematic review (SR) will provide evidence to judge whether cupping is an effective intervention for patients with CU.
Ethics and dissemination: The protocol of the SR does not require ethical approval because it does not involve humans. We will publish this article in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences.
Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, CRD42019137451.