Acupuncture treatment manual for endometriosis: a scoping review

Background/Objectives: The treatment details for acupuncture on endometriosis pain and related symptoms as used in research vary considerably. Although previous research has succeeded in defining a range of acupuncture details based on expert consensus, guidance is still lacking for those treatment details that need to be adapted to the individual. This scoping review aims to explore the acupuncture treatment for endometriosis based on the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concept of pattern differentiation. Methods: A scoping review will systematically map the literature following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and PRISMA-ScR reporting standards. A systematic search across multiple English and Chinese databases will be conducted, using the search terms Endometrio* AND Acupunctur* OR Acumox* OR Acupuntura OR Electroacupunctur* OR Needle Mox* OR Acustimulation OR Acupoint* OR Acu-Mox* OR Acupuncture therapy and MeSH terms. Data extraction will follow the criteria of STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) and include acupuncture treatment details according to TCM pattern differentiation. International stakeholders (n=5) will assist in identifying relevant textbooks and grey literature, piloting the data extraction form, and provide feedback on the final treatment manual. Implications of findings: This scoping review will provide a comprehensive insight into the acupuncture treatment for endometriosis and identify the key factors of treatment based on TCM pattern differentiation to develop a treatment manual. The findings may inform both clinical practice and future research.