Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for upper limb motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundTranscutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is an innovative, non-invasive therapy that stimulates the contraction of paralyzed muscles in the upper limbs, promoting functional recovery. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of TEAS in restoring upper limb function. This...

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Main Authors: Xiaoyu Wang, Lianjun Yin, Yikun Wang, Haining Zhang, Shiying Zhang, Jiantong Wu, Shun Fan, Zhengfei Li, Huanan Li, Jingui Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2024.1438994/full
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author Xiaoyu Wang
Xiaoyu Wang
Xiaoyu Wang
Lianjun Yin
Yikun Wang
Yikun Wang
Haining Zhang
Haining Zhang
Shiying Zhang
Shiying Zhang
Jiantong Wu
Jiantong Wu
Shun Fan
Shun Fan
Zhengfei Li
Zhengfei Li
Huanan Li
Huanan Li
Huanan Li
Jingui Wang
Jingui Wang
Jingui Wang
author_facet Xiaoyu Wang
Xiaoyu Wang
Xiaoyu Wang
Lianjun Yin
Yikun Wang
Yikun Wang
Haining Zhang
Haining Zhang
Shiying Zhang
Shiying Zhang
Jiantong Wu
Jiantong Wu
Shun Fan
Shun Fan
Zhengfei Li
Zhengfei Li
Huanan Li
Huanan Li
Huanan Li
Jingui Wang
Jingui Wang
Jingui Wang
author_sort Xiaoyu Wang
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundTranscutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is an innovative, non-invasive therapy that stimulates the contraction of paralyzed muscles in the upper limbs, promoting 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.ObjectivesThis study aims to evaluate the influence of TEAS on upper limb motor recovery after stroke and improve the quality of life in such patients.MethodsEight databases were systematically searched from inception to 1st October 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’ abilities to perform activities of daily living. Data synthesis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 14.0. The GRADE method was employed to assess the quality of evidence.ResultsA total of 16 trials involving 1,218 stroke patients were included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that the TEAS significantly improved upper limb function (SMD = 1.70, 95CI% = 1.09 to 2.31, p < 0.00001, I2 = 93%; low certainty of evidence), reduced spasticity (SMD = −1.18, 95CI% = −1.79 to −0.58, p < 0.00001, I2 = 90%; very low certainty of evidence), and enhanced the ability to perform daily activities (SMD = 1.53, 95CI% = 0.85 to 2.20, p < 0.00001, I2 = 95%; low certainty of evidence).ConclusionOur results indicated that TEAS improved motor function and functional activities and reduced muscle tone in the upper limbs after stroke. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited strength of the evidence. High-quality, larger sample, multi-center studies are needed to validate these preliminary findings.Systematic review registrationThis study was registered on PROSPERO with registration number CRD42024592509. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024592509
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spelling doaj-art-fe6d140d3f964c3eb58d0b9f790e8c022025-08-20T02:28:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience1663-43652024-11-011610.3389/fnagi.2024.14389941438994Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for upper limb motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysisXiaoyu Wang0Xiaoyu Wang1Xiaoyu Wang2Lianjun Yin3Yikun Wang4Yikun Wang5Haining Zhang6Haining Zhang7Shiying Zhang8Shiying Zhang9Jiantong Wu10Jiantong Wu11Shun Fan12Shun Fan13Zhengfei Li14Zhengfei Li15Huanan Li16Huanan Li17Huanan Li18Jingui Wang19Jingui Wang20Jingui Wang21Department of Tuina, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaNational Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, ChinaThe Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Massage of Tianjin Health Commission, Tianjin, ChinaRehabilitation Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Tuina, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaNational Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Tuina, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaNational Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Tuina, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaNational Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Tuina, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaNational Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Tuina, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaNational Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Tuina, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaNational Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Tuina, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaNational Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, ChinaThe Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Massage of Tianjin Health Commission, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Tuina, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, ChinaNational Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, ChinaThe Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Massage of Tianjin Health Commission, Tianjin, ChinaBackgroundTranscutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is an innovative, non-invasive therapy that stimulates the contraction of paralyzed muscles in the upper limbs, promoting 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.ObjectivesThis study aims to evaluate the influence of TEAS on upper limb motor recovery after stroke and improve the quality of life in such patients.MethodsEight databases were systematically searched from inception to 1st October 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’ abilities to perform activities of daily living. Data synthesis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 14.0. The GRADE method was employed to assess the quality of evidence.ResultsA total of 16 trials involving 1,218 stroke patients were included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that the TEAS significantly improved upper limb function (SMD = 1.70, 95CI% = 1.09 to 2.31, p < 0.00001, I2 = 93%; low certainty of evidence), reduced spasticity (SMD = −1.18, 95CI% = −1.79 to −0.58, p < 0.00001, I2 = 90%; very low certainty of evidence), and enhanced the ability to perform daily activities (SMD = 1.53, 95CI% = 0.85 to 2.20, p < 0.00001, I2 = 95%; low certainty of evidence).ConclusionOur results indicated that TEAS improved motor function and functional activities and reduced muscle tone in the upper limbs after stroke. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited strength of the evidence. High-quality, larger sample, multi-center studies are needed to validate these preliminary findings.Systematic review registrationThis study was registered on PROSPERO with registration number CRD42024592509. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024592509https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2024.1438994/fulltranscutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS)strokeupper limb functionmeta-analysissystematic review
spellingShingle Xiaoyu Wang
Xiaoyu Wang
Xiaoyu Wang
Lianjun Yin
Yikun Wang
Yikun Wang
Haining Zhang
Haining Zhang
Shiying Zhang
Shiying Zhang
Jiantong Wu
Jiantong Wu
Shun Fan
Shun Fan
Zhengfei Li
Zhengfei Li
Huanan Li
Huanan Li
Huanan Li
Jingui Wang
Jingui Wang
Jingui Wang
Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for upper limb motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS)
stroke
upper limb function
meta-analysis
systematic review
title Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for upper limb motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for upper limb motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for upper limb motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for upper limb motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for upper limb motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for upper limb motor recovery after stroke a systematic review and meta analysis
topic transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS)
stroke
upper limb function
meta-analysis
systematic review
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2024.1438994/full
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