The effectiveness of massage therapy for improving sequelae in post-stroke survivors. A systematic review and meta-analysis
Author
Calvo-Sanz, Jordi
Serra Llobet, Pol
Alcoba-Kait, Joana
González Rueda, Vanessa
Publication date
2021ISSN
1660-4601
Abstract
Objective: To assess the effect of therapeutic massage for improving sequelae in stroke survivors. Methods: A systematic review of the nine medical databases from January 1961 to December 2020 was carried out. The bibliography was screened to identify randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). Two reviewers independently screened references, selected relevant studies, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the PEDro scale. The primary outcome was upper and lower limb motor function and spasticity. Results: A total of 3196 studies were identified and 18 RCT were finally included (1989 individuals). A meta-analysis of RCTs in the comparison of Chinese massage (Tuina) plus conventional physiotherapy versus conventional physiotherapy was performed. The mean difference (MD) in the subacute stage on upper limb motor-function using the Fugl Meyer Assessment was 2.75; (95% confidence interval (CI) from 0.97 to 4.53, p = 0.002, I2 = 36%). The MD on upper limb spasticity using modified Ashworth scale was −0.15; (95% CI from −0.24 to −0.06, p < 0.02, I2 = 0%).The MD on lower limb spasticity was −0.59; (95% CI from −0.78 to −0.40, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%) in the endpoint. Conclusions: Therapeutic massage, especially Tuina, in addition to conventional therapy is effective for improving motor function and for reducing spasticity in stroke survivors.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
61 - Medical sciences
616.7 - Pathology of the organs of locomotion. Skeletal and locomotor systems
Keywords
Fisioteràpia
Espasticitat
Malalties cerebrovasculars
Fisioterapia
Espasticidad
Enfermedades cerebrovasculares
Physiotherapy
Spasticity
Cerebrovascular disorders
Pages
18
Publisher
MDPI
Collection
18; 9
Is part of
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Citation
Cabanas-Valdés, Rosa; Calvo-Sanz, Jordi; Serra-Llobet, Pol [et al.]. The effectiveness of massage therapy for improving sequelae in post-stroke survivors. A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, 18(9), 4424. Disponible en: <https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/9/4424>. Fecha de acceso: 27 abr. 2021. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094424
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- Ciències de la Salut [740]
Rights
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/