BackgroundPost-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS), although not a life-threatening condition, may be the most distressing and disabling problem for stroke survivors. Thus, it is essential to identify effective treatment strategies. Physical therapy is used as a first-line option for treating SHS; however, it is unclear which treatment option is preferred, which creates confusion in guiding clinical practice. Our study aims to guide clinical treatment by identifying the most effective physical therapy interventions for improving clinical symptoms in patients with post-stroke SHS using Bayesian network meta-analysis.MethodsWe conducted a systematic and comprehensive search of data from randomized controlled trials using physical therapy in patients with SHS from database inception to 1 July 2022. Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Motor Function Scale (FMA-UE) and pain visual analog score (VAS) were used as primary and secondary outcome indicators. R (version 4.1.3) and STATA (version 16.0) software were used to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 45 RCTs with 3,379 subjects were included, and the intervention efficacy of 7 physical factor therapies (PFT) combined with rehabilitation training (RT) was explored. Compared with the control group, all the PFT + RT included were of statistical benefit in improving limb motor function and pain relief. Also, our study indicated that EMG biofeedback combined with RT (BFT + RT) [the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) = 96.8%] might be the best choice for patients with post-stroke SHS.ConclusionEMG biofeedback combined with rehabilitation training may be the best physical therapy for improving upper limb motor function and relieving pain in patients with post-stroke SHS according to our Bayesian network meta-analysis results. However, the above conclusions need further analysis and validation by more high-quality RCTs.Systematic review registrationwww.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42022348743.

BackgroundMotor aphasia, which can affect the communication ability of patients and even triggers severe psychological disorders, is one of the most common sequelae after stroke. Acupuncture (a typical complementary alternative therapy) is frequently combined with speech training (ST) to treat post-stroke motor aphasia (PSMA) and presents significant efficacy. However, the most effective acupuncture intervention is still unknown. This study aims to analyze the efficacy of several acupuncture approaches combined with ST for PSMA to identify the best intervention for clinical decision-making by using network meta-analysis (NMA).MethodsEight major databases were searched from the time of their establishment to March 2022. Clinical efficacy rate (CER) was used as the primary outcome indicator. R software (version 4.13.0) and STATA software (version 16.0) were used to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 29 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and six treatment regimens were included in this study. In the pair-wise meta-analysis, we found that the efficacy of scalp-tongue acupuncture (STA) combined with ST [OR = 8.30; 95% Credible interval (CrI): 3.87, 17.33], tongue acupuncture (TA) combined with ST (OR = 3.95; 95% CrI: 2.27, 6.89), scalp-body acupuncture (SBA) combined with ST (OR = 3.75; 95% CrI: 2.26, 6.22), scalp acupuncture (SA) combined with ST (OR = 2.95; 95% CrI: 1.74, 5.0), and body acupuncture (BA) combined with ST (OR = 2.30; 95% CrI: 1.26, 4.19) were significantly superior to that of ST. In addition, the efficacy of STA + ST was significantly superior to that of SA +ST (OR = 2. 82; 95% CrI: 1.24, 6.38) and BA + ST (OR = 3.61; 95% CrI: 1.40, 9.29). According to the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA), STA + ST (SUCRA = 97.9%) may be the best treatment regimen to improve the clinical outcome in patients with PSMA.ConclusionThe NMA showed that STA combined with ST may be the best treatment to improve CER, compared with other combination treatments. However, since the overall quality and number of studies are limited, further RCTs with a large sample and multicenter are needed for further validation.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=316081, identifier CRD42022316081.

Background: Post-stroke depression is a common and serious complication after stroke. Its main clinical manifestations are depression or instability, loss of interest, loss of appetite, sleep disorders, pessimism, and unworthiness, and even suicidal tendencies. Auricular therapy (AT), as part of traditional Chinese acupuncture, has achieved good results in the treatment of depression, but different clinical studies have shown mixed results. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to assess the effectiveness and safety of AT for post-stroke depression. Methods: Two reviewers will electronically search the following databases: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; Medline (via PubMed); Excerpt Medica Database; China National Knowledge Infrastructure; Chinese Biomedical Literature Database; Chinese Scientific Journal Database; and Wan–Fang Database from the inception to January 1, 2022. Study selection, data extraction, and assessment of study quality will be performed independently by 2 reviewers. If it is appropriate for a meta-analysis, Review Manager Version 5.3 statistical software will be used; otherwise, a descriptive analysis will be conducted. Data will be synthesized by either the fixed-effects or random-effects model according to a heterogeneity test. The results will be presented as risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals for dichotomous data and weight mean difference or standard mean difference 95% confidence intervals for continuous data. Result: This study will provide a comprehensive review of the available evidence for the treatment of AT with post-stroke depression. Conclusions: The conclusions of our study will provide an evidence to judge whether AT is an effective and safe intervention for patients with post-stroke depression. Trial registration number: PROSPERO CRD42021289870.

Background: Strephenopodia is a common complication after stroke, which is easily neglected in the early stage of the disease and seriously affects the rehabilitation process of patients' limbs, and brings huge security risks and family burden. A large number of studies have confirmed that acupuncture combined with rehabilitation (ACR) has a significant effect on strephenopodia after stroke (SAS), but there is still a lack of systematic scientific evidence to support this argument. In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ACR in the treatment of SAS, to provide evidence-based medical evidence for the clinical treatment of the disease.Methods: We will search the following databases of 8 electronic databases from inception to January 2022: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, China National Knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Technology Periodical Database (VIP), WanFang Data, and China Biology Medicine (CBM). All relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focus on ACR in the treatment of strephenopodia after stroke will be included. The primary outcome will be the Measurement of strephenopodia angle and Clinical Spasm Index Scale (CSI). The Secondary outcomes will include Holden Functional Walking Classification (FAC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Modified Barthel Index Score (MBI). Two reviewers will independently conduct the Study selection and data extraction. The risk of bias will be evaluated according to the Cochrane tool. Risk ratio and 95% confidence intervals will be used to estimate the efficacy of treatment, and the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation approach to rate the certainty of evidence. The data analysis will be analyzed using by RevMan5.4.Result: This study will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of ACR in the treatment of SAS, with a view of providing more reliable evidence-based solutions for SAS. Conclusions:The conclusion of this study will provide evidence to judge whether ACR is effective and safe in treating SAS.