There was currently no consensus on whether chewing gum should be widely instituted as a means to help reduce anxiety and stress. Chewing gum was also not included in guidelines for alleviating anxiety and stress. The purpose of this study was of two aspects: (1) to review the research progress of the relationship between gum chewing and anxiety and stress in recent years and (2) to make a meta-analysis of the effects of mastication on anxiety and stress. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies extracted from PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of chewing gum on anxiety, and stress was evaluated through screening, inclusion, data extraction, and quality assessment. The meta-analysis we performed was using Review Manager 5.3 software. We included a total of 8 RCTs, involving more than 400 adults over 18 years old. Compared with no chewing gum, chewing gum resulted in anxiety (MD = −0.26, 95% CI (−0.48, −0.04), p = 0.02 , I2 = 11%), where the heterogeneity was low and statistically significant. While in stress (MD = −0.27, 95% CI (−0.79, −0.25), p = 0.31 , I2 = 48%), the heterogeneity was high, and there was of no statistical significance. Based on current evidence, chewing gum is an inexpensive, well-tolerated, safe, and effective way to relieve anxiety and stress. To confirm the conclusion, we still need to conduct more randomized trials.

Review question / Objective: Acupoint catgut embedding and drug treatment of hyperlipidemia compared, which is better. Condition being studied: Hyperlipidemia. Information sources: Two authors (JL and CZ) will examine the publications independently and extract data according to predefined criteria. RCTs will be assessed for the methodology, study design, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and outcome measures. The methodological quality of each RCT will be recorded for method of randomization, blinding, protocol violation, and allocation concealment Any disagreement will be resolved by consensus discussions with the senior member of the review team (XP W). Data to collect includes intervention and control measures, measured outcomes and statistical significant difference with regards to chewing gum.

Review question / Objective: Can acupoint catgut embedding alleviate postoperative pain of mixed hemorrhoids? Condition being studied: Mixed hemorrhoids. Information sources: Two authors (JL and CZ) will examine the publications independently and extract data according to predefined criteria. RCTs will be assessed for the methodology, study design, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and outcome measures. The methodological quality of each RCT will be recorded for method of randomization, blinding, protocol violation, and allocation concealment Any disagreement will be resolved by consensus discussions with the senior member of the review team (MJX and YLC). Data to collect includes intervention and control measures, measured outcomes and statistical significant difference with regards to chewing gum.