Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for spinal cord injury: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy can prevent further spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury to the maximum extent, which has been reported increasingly in recent years. However its security and effectiveness still lack of high-quality medical evidence. In this study, we will perform a systematic review of previously published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HBO therapy for SCI. METHODS All potential RCTs on HBO therapy for SCI will be searched from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Wanfang database and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. We will search all electronic databases from their initiation to the September 30, 2020 in spite of language and publication date. Two contributors will independently select studies from all searched literatures, extract data from included trials, and evaluate study quality for all eligible RCTs using Cochrane risk of bias tool, respectively. Any confusion will be resolved by consulting contributor and a consensus will be reached. We will utilize RevMan 5.3 software to pool the data and to conduct the data analysis. RESULTS The quality of the assessments will be assessed through Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. Data will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals. CONCLUSION This study will provide evidence to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HBO therapy for SCI at evidence-based medicine level. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER INPLASY 2020100084.