Abstract
Background An increasing number of systematic reviews/meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) of clinical trials have begun to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) nursing in patients with stroke. To systematically appraise and synthesize these results, we conducted an overview of SRs/MAs. Methods Eight databases from their inception to April 2020 were searched to include all SRs/MAs on TCM nursing for stroke. Methodological quality assessment was performed using Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2) and evidence quality assessment was performed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Results Eleven SRs/MAs regarding TCM nursing for stroke were included. The assessments with AMSTAR-2 indicated that the methodological quality of all included SRs/MAs was critically low. According to the evaluation results of GRADE, 10 (40%) outcomes were rated as critically low-quality evidence, 7 (28%) low-quality evidence, and 8 (32%) moderate-quality evidence. Descriptive analysis results showed that TCM nursing was effective for stroke. Conclusions All included SRs/MAs suggested positive findings of TCM nursing for stroke, but the credibility of the results is limited. Studies with methodologically rigorous and adequately powered are still needed in this field.
Highlights
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and third leading source of disability worldwide [1]
Patients were mainly those with stroke sequelae. e intervention measures were mostly traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) nursing (e.g., TCM exercise nursing, acupoint massage, TCM emotional nursing, auricular plaster, and TCM soaking) or TCM nursing plus routine nursing in the treatment group routine nursing in the control group
Current evidence showed that TCM exercise nursing produced positive effects on limb motor function, balance function, activity of daily living ability and neurological impairment among stroke patients
Summary
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and third leading source of disability worldwide [1]. An increasing number of systematic reviews/meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) of clinical trials have begun to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) nursing in patients with stroke. To systematically appraise and synthesize these results, we conducted an overview of SRs/MAs. Methods. Eight databases from their inception to April 2020 were searched to include all SRs/MAs on TCM nursing for stroke. Eleven SRs/MAs regarding TCM nursing for stroke were included. E assessments with AMSTAR-2 indicated that the methodological quality of all included SRs/MAs was critically low. According to the evaluation results of GRADE, 10 (40%) outcomes were rated as critically low-quality evidence, 7 (28%) low-quality evidence, and 8 (32%) moderate-quality evidence. Descriptive analysis results showed that TCM nursing was effective for stroke. All included SRs/MAs suggested positive findings of TCM nursing for stroke, but the credibility of the results is limited. Studies with methodologically rigorous and adequately powered are still needed in this field
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
