Effect of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors on Motor Recovery After Stroke: A Systematic Meta-analysis.

Abstract

We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of SSRIs in improving motor outcomes after stroke. For accuracy, we only included studies in which SSRIs were administered to patients in the recovery phase after stroke (<6 months after stroke). Meta-analyses were conducted according to the tools used to measure motor function. We searched the SCOPUS, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for studies which compared motor recovery in patients who receive SSRI medication in the recovery phase after stroke with a control group that did not receive any SSRI. A total of 3,715 publications were assessed, and nine studies met the study criteria. The group which received SSRI showed improved Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale and Barthel index scores compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference in the modified Rankin Scale scores between the SSRI and control groups. The incidence of adverse effects after the administration of SSRIs did not differ from that in the control group. Our study showed that the use of SSRI in the recovery phase of stroke improved motor function without significant increase in side effects.