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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Aging Neurosci.
Sec. Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior
Volume 16 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1438994
This article is part of the Research Topic Innovative approaches to promote stroke recovery View all 16 articles

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Upper Limb Motor Recovery After Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Provisionally accepted
Wang Xiaoyu Wang Xiaoyu 1Lianjun Yin Lianjun Yin 2*Yikun Wang Yikun Wang 1*Haining Zhang Haining Zhang 1*Shiying Zhang Shiying Zhang 1*Jiantong Wu Jiantong Wu 1*Shun Fan Shun Fan 1*Zhengfei Li Zhengfei Li 1*Huanan Li Huanan Li 1Jingui Wang Jingui Wang 1*
  • 1 First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nankai District, China
  • 2 Recovery Unit, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is an innovative noninvasive therapy that facilitates the contraction of paralysed muscles in the upper limbs, enhancing their functional recovery. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of TEAS in restoring upper limb function. This study aims to evaluate the impact of TEAS on upper limb motor recovery after stroke.Objectives: This article aims to evaluate the influence of TEAS on upper limb motor recovery after stroke and improve the quality of life.Methods: Eight databases were systematically searched from their inception to October 1, 2024. Two independent reviewers conducted the screening and data extraction of the study. The primary outcome measure was the Fugl Meyer Assessment of the upper extremity (FMA-UE), which evaluates upper extremity motor function in stroke patients. Secondary outcomes included the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for assessing spasticity and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) to evaluate patients' ability to perform activities of daily living. Data synthesis was performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 14.0. The GRADE method was employed to assess the quality of evidence.Results: 16 trials involving 1218 stroke patients were included in this meta analysis. Meta analysis showed that the TEAS can improve the function of upper limbs (SMD = 1.70, 95CI% = 1.09 to 2.31, p < 0.00001, I 2 = 93%; low certainty of evidence), spasticity (SMD = -1.18, 95CI% = -1.79 to -0.58, p < 0.00001, I 2 = 90%; very low certainty of evidence) and ability to daily life activities (SMD = 1.53, 95CI% = 0.85 to 2.20, p < 0.00001, I 2 = 95%; low certainty of evidence). Conclusion: Our results indicated that TEAS improved motor function and functional activities, and reduced muscle tone of upper limbs after stroke. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited strength of the evidence. High quality studies with larger sample sizes and multi center designs are essential to validate these preliminary findings further.This study was registered on PROSPERO with registration number CRD42024592509.

    Keywords: Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), Stroke, Upper Limb function, metaanalysis, Systematic review

    Received: 27 May 2024; Accepted: 30 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Xiaoyu, Yin, Wang, Zhang, Zhang, Wu, Fan, Li, Li and Wang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Lianjun Yin, Recovery Unit, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
    Yikun Wang, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nankai District, China
    Haining Zhang, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nankai District, China
    Shiying Zhang, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nankai District, China
    Jiantong Wu, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nankai District, China
    Shun Fan, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nankai District, China
    Zhengfei Li, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nankai District, China
    Jingui Wang, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nankai District, China

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