Background: Neurostimulations for the post-stroke recovery of upper extremity function has been explored in previous research, but there remains a controversy about the superiority of different neurostimulations.
Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov, from 1 January 2000 to 1 June 2022. A conventional pair-wise meta-analysis with a random-effect model was used to evaluate direct evidence. Bayesian random effect models were used for network meta-analysis. The grading of the recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) approach was applied to assess the clinical quality of the results.
Results: A total of 88 RCTs, which enrolled 3491 participants, were included. For the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity score change from the baseline to the longest follow-up, the following interventions showed a significant difference: VNS (MD = 4.12, 95%CrI: 0.54 to 7.80, moderate certainty), cNMES (MD = 3.98, 95%CrI: 1.05 to 6.92, low certainty), FES (MD = 7.83, 95%CrI: 4.42 to 11.32, very low certainty), drTMS (MD = 7.94, 95%CrI: 3.71 to 12.07, moderate certainty), LFrTMS (MD = 2.64, 95%CrI: 1.20 to 4.11, moderate certainty), HFrTMS (MD = 6.73, 95%CrI: 3.26 to 10.22, moderate certainty), and iTBS combined with LFrTMS (MD = 5.41, 95%CrI: 0.48 to 10.35, moderate certainty).
Conclusions: The neurostimulations above the revealed significant efficacy for improving the upper limb function after stroke eased the suffering of the patient.
Keywords: Fugl-Meyer assessment; network meta-analysis; neurostimulation; stroke; upper extremity.