Efficacy and safety of manual acupuncture for the treatment of upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS One. 2021 Nov 12;16(11):e0258921. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258921. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of stroke sequelae among patients is as high as 70%-80%. Flexor spasm is the most common stroke sequela, presenting a heavy burden to the patients and their families. This study will evaluate the results of randomized controlled trials to determine the efficacy and safety of hand manipulation acupuncture for the treatment of upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke.

Methods: Eight databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Wanfang Database, and Web of Science, will be searched using English and Chinese search strategies. In addition, manual retrieval of research papers, conference papers, ongoing experiments, and internal reports, among others, will supplement electronic retrieval. All eligible studies published on or before January 15, 2021 will be selected. To enhance the effectiveness of the study, only clinical randomized controlled trials related to the use of manual acupuncture for the treatment of upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke will be included.

Analysis: The Fugl-Meyer upper extremity assessment will be the primary outcome measure, whereas the Wolf Motor Function Test, Modified Ashworth Scale, arm movement survey test table, and upper extremity freehand muscle strength assessment scores will be the secondary outcomes. Side effects and adverse events will be included as safety evaluations. To ensure the quality of the systematic evaluation, study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment will be independently performed by two authors, and a third author will resolve any disagreement.

Ethics and dissemination: This systematic review will evaluate the efficacy and safety of manual acupuncture for the treatment of upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke. Since all included data will be obtained from published articles, it does not require ethical approval and will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. INPLASY registration number: INPLASY202110071.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Therapy / adverse effects*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • China / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meta-Analysis as Topic*
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Tonus
  • Muscle Weakness / epidemiology
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology*
  • Muscle Weakness / therapy*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Spasm / epidemiology
  • Spasm / etiology*
  • Spasm / therapy*
  • Stroke / complications*
  • Stroke / epidemiology
  • Systematic Reviews as Topic*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Upper Extremity / physiopathology*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the School construction project of National Administration of traditional Chinese medicine (Grant Number LPGZS22014-11, http://www.satcm.gov.cn/renjiaosi/zhengcewenjian/2018-03-24/1840.html), The Jilin Local Standard Construction Project (Grant Number: DBXM097-2020, http://scjg.jl.gov.cn/zw/gsgg/202105/t20210526_8082979.html) and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Jilin Province(Grant Number: zybz-zc-2020-004, http://jltcm.jl.gov.cn/tzgg/xgdt/202107/t20210706_8130847.html).