A Systematic Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Ayurveda Interventions for Hepatitis: A Protocol for Systematic Review

Abstract

Ab s t r Ac t Introduction: A systematic review is planned to investigate the safety and efficacy of Ayurveda interventions for hepatitis through analyzing published clinical research work. Materials and methods: We shall conduct a systematic review published clinical work for Ayurveda interventions for hepatitis. Electronic search of following databases will be performed: PubMed, AYUSH Research Portal, Digital Helpline for Ayurveda Research Articles (DHARA), Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library (the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the Cochrane Methodology Register) without any restriction of publication year. Hand search, snowballing of studies will also be performed to fetch complete available literature. The selection of the studies, data abstraction, and validations will be performed independently by two teams of researchers. A conclusion will be derived from the consensus of the complete review team. Study selection will follow the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and study quality will be assessed by the CONSORT checklist for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), transparent reporting of evaluations with nonrandomized designs (TREND) checklist for nonrandomized controlled trials (NRCTs), and CONSORT extension for pilot and feasibility studies for pilot studies. Risk of bias assessment will be performed with the help of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2) tool for RCTs and risk of bias in non-randomised studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) tool for NRCTs. If sufficient and appropriate data are available, a meta-analysis will be conducted. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis will be performed if found to be necessary and feasible. Dissemination: The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review will also be disseminated electronically and in print. The review will be updated to inform and guide healthcare practice and policy. Trial registration number: PROSPERO 2019: CRD42019103115.