Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37167257›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2023

Optimization of electrical stimulation for the treatment of lower limb dysfunction after stroke: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Yu Fang, Jiang Li, Shanyu Liu, Yan Wang, Jiaming Li, Dongdong Yang, Qiaoling Wang

2 registry-linked trialsOpen access · goldAbstract readSystematic ReviewNetwork Meta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.4field-weighted citation impact, top 18% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06999876 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

The Effect of Combined Transcranial Pulse Current Stimulation (tPCS) and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Lower Limb Motor Function in Subacute to Chronic Stroke Patients With Hemiplegia: A Double-blind, Sham-controlled, Randomized Controlled Study

TypeinterventionalSponsorNational University Health System, SingaporeRan2025 to 2026Enrolled90ConditionsStroke Patients With Hemiplegia or Hemiparesis in the Subacute StageArmsThe AscenZ-VIII Stimulator (Investigational Medical Device)
NCT07785700 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Feasibility and Effectiveness of Home-Based Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Lower Limb Rehabilitation in Post-Stroke Individuals

TypeinterventionalSponsorChristian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, IndiaRan2026 to 2029Enrolled70ConditionsStrokeArmsFunctional Electrical Stimulation (FES), Standard Rehabilitation
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 10 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Yu FangDepartment of Neurology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Jiang LiGeneral Practice Department, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Shanyu LiuDepartment of Neurology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Yan WangDepartment of Neurology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu/ The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Jiaming LiDepartment of Neurology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Dongdong YangDepartment of Neurology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Qiaoling WangDepartment of Ministry of Science, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.ORCID 0009-0005-4020-6112
Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine · CNChengdu University · CN

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo compare the treatment effect of five electrical stimulation methods commonly used in the treatment of stroke patients with lower limb dysfunction.

methodsWe implemented a systematic search of 3915 studies published up to January 2023 from eight databases and two clinical trial registries. First, two independent reviewers critically evaluated trial eligibility according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Next, they selected and extracted data. Then, they assessed the risk of bias. Pairwise meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the effectiveness and ranking of the five electrical stimulation methods.

resultsA total of 33 trials with a final total of 2246 subjects were included in the analysis. By combining the comprehensive Rehabilitation Treatment (RT), the treatment effects of using five electrical stimulation methods were surperior to those of using RT only. In the meantime, RT+transcranial Direct Current Stimulation(tDCS) and RT+Functional Electrical Stimulation(FES) could be the optimal electric stimulation schemes for restoring lower limb motor function(SMD 8.35, 95%CI [3.05, 13.34]/ SMD 5.64, 95%CI [3.68, 7.56]), improving balance (SMD 9.80, 95%CI [0.67, 20.93]/ SMD 6.54, 95%CI [3.85, 10.95]) and activities of daily living(SMD 18.95, 95%CI [0.401, 36.9]/ SMD 15.47, 95%CI [7.89, 22.75]), and the treatment effects would be even better using RT+FES+tDCS combination.

conclusiontDCS and FES superior to other electrical stimulation methods based on RT in the treatment of lower limb dysfunction after stroke.

Indexed as

StrokeStroke RehabilitationTranscranial Direct Current StimulationActivities of Daily LivingBayes TheoremHumansLower ExtremityRandomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Identifiers

PMID37167257
PMCPMC10174537
OpenAlexW4376225302

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.