OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the clinical efficacy and safety of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction combined with acupuncture in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy（DPN）. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials on Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction combined with acupuncture in the treatment of DPN（the research group was given Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction combined with acupuncture on the basis of conventional western medicine treatment

while the control group was given conventional western medicine treatment） were retrieved from CNKI

VIP

Wanfang Data

CBM and PubMed database from establishment of the database to Mar. 2021

literature extraction and validation were conducted by two researchers independently. The literature information was extracted

risk of bias was assessed

and Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 8 studies（752 patients） were included. Results of analysis showed that compared with the control group

patients in the research group had significantly improved total clinical effective rate（RR=1.29

95%CI=1.20-1.38

Z=7.04

P<0.000 01）

motor conduction velocity（MCV） of median nerve（MD=5.52

95%CI=4.14-6.89

Z=7.87

P<0.000 01）

sensory conduction velocity（SCV） of median nerve（MD=5.42

95%CI=2.23-8.61

Z=3.33

P=0.000 9）

MCV of common peroneal nerve（MD=3.13

95%CI=2.46-3.80

Z=9.15

P<0.000 01）

SCV of common peroneal nerve（MD=4.65

95%CI=4.01-5.29

Z=14.32

P<0.000 01） and plasma viscosity（MD=-0.34

95%CI=-0.43--0.26

Z=7.84

P<0.000 01）

with statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction combined with acupuncture on the basis of conventional western medicine treatment for DPN has significant efficiency

which is superior to conventional western medical treatment alone. However

the above conclusions need to be validated by randomized controlled trials with larger samples and higher quality.