Exercise interventions for post-stroke depression: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication after stroke, linked to mortality and poor functional recovery.
• Exercise is known to benefit general depression, but its specific effects on PSD require clarification.
• This study addresses the need to understand exercise's role in managing PSD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the efficacy and safety of exercise interventions for post-stroke depression.
• To establish evidence-based exercise prescriptions for PSD patients.
• To inform clinical decision-making regarding non-pharmacological treatments for PSD.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases.
• Inclusion of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies on exercise for PSD.
• Assessment of primary outcomes (depression, stroke outcome) and secondary outcomes (adverse events, cognition, quality of life, nerve factors).
• Methodological quality appraisal using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and heterogeneity assessment using the I2 test.

Main Results:

• The study will synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of exercise in treating post-stroke depression.
• Safety data regarding exercise interventions for PSD patients will be evaluated.
• The review will provide insights into the impact of exercise on depression scales and stroke outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Findings will aid clinicians in optimizing treatment strategies for post-stroke depression.
• This research supports exercise as a potential therapeutic modality for PSD.
• The results will contribute to evidence-based guidelines for PSD management.