Abstract
BACKGROUND: This systematic review protocol aims to provide evidence of the efficacy and safety of acupuncture on postoperative recovery and extubation time. METHODS: The following 11 electronic databases will be searched from inception: The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, 1 Chinese database (CNKI), and 5 Korean databases (OASIS, DBpia, RISS, KISS, NDSL). Only randomized controlled trials of acupuncture treatment for postoperative recovery after surgery will be included for review. The selection of the studies, data extraction, and management will be performed independently by 3 researchers. Methodological quality, including the risk of bias, will be assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review will provide evidence of the efficacy of acupuncture on postoperative recovery and extubation time. This evidence will provide useful information to practitioners and patients in the field of surgery and complementary medicine. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2020 CRD42020168411.