2.1. Search Strategy

To identify eligible randomized controlled trials for this network meta-analysis, we will search 7 electronic databases systematically from inception to December 31, 2019, including Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Wan-fang database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, and VIP Chinese Science and Technique Journals database. The following search terms were conducted: (“Acupuncture” OR “Acupuncture Therapy” OR “Moxibustion”) AND (“Herpes Zoster” OR “Shingles” OR “Herpes zoster Virus” OR “Varicella Zoster Virus Infection”) AND (“Randomized Controlled Trial” OR “Controlled Clinical Trial” OR “Randomized” OR “Controlled”).