Efficacy of electrical stimulation for post-stroke motor dysfunction: A protocol for systematic review and network...

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Clinical Electrophysiology

Background:

• Post-stroke motor dysfunction significantly impacts patient recovery and quality of life.
• Electrical stimulation (ES) is a promising therapeutic modality for motor recovery.
• Comparative efficacy of different ES techniques remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically compare the efficacy and safety of various electrical stimulation treatments for post-stroke motor dysfunction.
• To quantitatively assess the advantages and benefits of different ES interventions.
• To provide evidence-based references for clinical decision-making and treatment guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across seven databases (inception to April 2024).
• Risk of bias assessment using Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool (version 2).
• Network meta-analysis using a random-effects model; Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking (SUCRA) for intervention ranking; Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) for evidence strength.

Main Results:

• The study anticipates providing evidence for the effectiveness of ES in improving motor function post-stroke.
• Quantitative analysis will rank different ES interventions based on efficacy and safety profiles.
• The strength of evidence for each intervention will be clearly assessed.

Conclusions:

• Electrical stimulation therapy is expected to demonstrate significant efficacy in improving motor function for stroke survivors.
• This systematic review and meta-analysis will offer valuable references for clinical practice and the development of treatment guidelines.
• The findings will support informed choices regarding ES interventions for post-stroke rehabilitation.