Acupuncture for balance dysfunction in patients with stroke: A systematic review protocol.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Balance dysfunctions are prevalent in stroke survivors, impacting functional independence and rehabilitation.
• Acupuncture, a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique, is widely used for post-stroke balance issues, but evidence of its effectiveness is unclear.
• This systematic review protocol addresses the need for clarity on acupuncture's efficacy and safety in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for balance dysfunctions in stroke survivors.
• To synthesize current evidence regarding acupuncture's impact on clinical outcomes, balance, and daily life activities.
• To provide a high-quality evidence synthesis for clinical decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive database searches (e.g., PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane) up to April 2018.
• Inclusion of clinical trials assessing acupuncture for post-stroke balance dysfunctions.
• Data synthesis using RevMan V.5.3 software for meta-analysis where appropriate.

Main Results:

• The review will synthesize evidence on acupuncture's clinical efficacy for post-stroke balance disorders.
• Outcomes will include improvements in balance ability, walking ability, and activities of daily living.
• A meta-analysis will be performed if data permits, providing quantitative results.

Conclusions:

• This systematic review protocol aims to determine the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture as an intervention for stroke-related balance dysfunctions.
• Findings will inform clinical practice and guide future research in this area.