Comparison of different rehabilitation techniques of traditional Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of motor dysfunction after stroke based on frequency method: A network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of different traditional Chinese and western medicine rehabilitation techniques on motor dysfunction after stroke using a network meta-analysis. METHODS: CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to September 2022. We independently searched and screened randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of rehabilitation techniques for post-stroke motor dysfunction treatment, evaluated the quality, and analyzed the data using Stata 14.0. RESULTS: Seventy-four RCTs involving nine rehabilitation techniques and 5128 patients were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed the following orders regarding improvement of the total scores of Fugl Meyer assessment (FMA), action research arm test, and Berg Balance Scale: biofeedback therapy (BT) > mirror therapy (MT) > repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) > acupuncture therapy (AT) > transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) > Taichi > common therapy (CT), virtual reality (VR) > tDCS > rTMS > MT > CT, and AT > VR > neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) > MT > CT > tDCS, respectively. CONCLUSION: BT had the best comprehensive effect, while VR was the best intervention for improving the index of action research arm test and FMA-lower extremity. AT improved lower limb balance function.