Impact of acupuncture on lower limb motor function recovery after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Yaheng Zhao, Xiaochuan Zhu, Lei Xie et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of acupuncture on lower limb motor function recovery after stroke, including six randomized controlled trials. Acupuncture was associated with improved lower-extremity motor function (SMD = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.32-0.71), but evidence for balance and daily living activities was very uncertain due to high heterogeneity.
Key findings
- Acupuncture improved lower-extremity motor function (SMD = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.32-0.71).
- Balance assessed by the Berg Balance Scale favored acupuncture (SMD = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.35-1.56) but showed high heterogeneity.
- The Modified Barthel Index did not show a statistically significant benefit (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.16-0.68).
Why it matters
Understanding the potential benefits of acupuncture in poststroke rehabilitation can help clinicians make informed decisions about integrating complementary therapies into conventional treatment plans for improving motor function and mobility.
What to keep in mind
The review noted high heterogeneity in outcomes and variability in acupuncture protocols, which limits the certainty of the findings.