Search strategy used in OVID MEDLINE database
| Number | Search terms |
|---|---|
| 1 | randomized controlled trial.pt. |
| 2 | controlled clinical trial.pt. |
| 3 | randomized.ab. |
| 4 | randomised.ab. |
| 5 | placebo.ab. |
| 6 | randomly.ab. |
| 7 | trial.ab. |
| 8 | Groups.ab. |
| 9 | or 1–8 |
| 10 | exp gastroscopy/ |
| 11 | gastroscopy. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 12 | gastroscope. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 13 | endoscopy. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 14 | endoscope. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 15 | or 10–14 |
| 16 | exp acupuncture therapy, or acupuncture |
| 17 | acupuncture. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 18 | manual acupuncture. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 19 | electroacupuncture. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 20 | fire needling. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 21 | warm needling, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 22 | pyonex, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 23 | scalp acupuncture, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 24 | auricular acupuncture, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 25 | intradermal needling, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms} |
| 26 | or 16–25 |
| 27 | 9 and 15 and 26 |
This search strategy will be modified as required for other electronic databases.