Abstract
ObjectiveA systematic review is conducted to determine the effect of traditional Chinese exercise for patients with stroke.MethodsStudies are obtained from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Web of Science, and CNKI. Only randomized controlled trials were left to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese exercise for patients with stroke, and with no limits on study data or language. The primary outcome was the Berg balance score (BBS), Functional walking scale. And a random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsA total of 9 studies on 820 participants conform to the inclusion criteria, whereas eight studies on 704 participants are used as data sources for the meta-analysis, all trials were published between 2004 and 2013. The BBS indicates that the efficacy of traditional Chinese exercise on balance of patients with stroke is better than that of other training or no training in short term [MD (95%CI) = 11.85 [5.41, 18.30], P < 0.00001]. And the short physical performance battery, Functional walking scale, limit of stability were observed significant differences on balance (p<0.05) and gait (p<0.05) between traditional Chinese exercise and other exercises or no exercise. In addition, there is an article showed that some other form (physiotherapy exercises focused on balance) significantly improved balance ability for stroke patients compared to tai chi chuan practice (Berg test = 0.01, Romberg, and standing on one leg).ConclusionIn our meta analysis, the positive findings of this study suggest traditional Chinese exercise has beneficial effects on the balance ability in short term. However, we drew the conclusion according to the extreme heterogeneity, and evidence of better quality and from a larger sample size is required. Because of the inconsistent outcomes, there are short of enough good evidence for patients with stroke to prove the effects of traditional Chinese exercise on gait.Systematic Review Registration http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO PROSPERO registration number: CRD42013006474.
Highlights
Stroke has high morbidity, mortality, and disability rates, and approximately two million people each year suffer from stroke
A total of 9 studies on 820 participants conform to the inclusion criteria, whereas eight studies on 704 participants are used as data sources for the meta-analysis, all trials were published between 2004 and 2013
The Berg balance score (BBS) indicates that the efficacy of traditional Chinese exercise on balance of patients with stroke is better than that of other training or no training in short term [mean difference (MD) (95%confidence interval (CI)) = 11.85 [5.41, 18.30], P < 0.00001]
Summary
Mortality, and disability rates, and approximately two million people each year suffer from stroke. Past studies have indicated that balance and gait dysfunction is the common problems in stroke patients This disability influences patient walking ability and quality of life. Falling is more common in elderly patients over 65 years old [7], and the fifth factor which caused of death in the elderly. According to the national economic and social development statistical bulletin of the 2009 and 2008 statistics yearbooks, the average hospitalization cost for every cerebrovascular disease is approximately CNY 7,267.6. This value is half the annual income of urban residents and 1.5 times that of farmers[11,12,13]. This trend has profound financial and social consequences[14]
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