SynthesisFrontiers in neurology2025
Comparison of the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with different rehabilitation interventions on motor function in people suffering from stroke-related symptoms: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled 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.
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.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Pooled it
- Unlocking trunk potential after stroke: a novel approach combining transcranial direct current stimulation and core stability exercise: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation · 2026Trial
- Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Peripheral Electrical Stimulation on Upper Limb Function Recovery in Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Brain sciences · 2026Review
- Inflammatory profiling for precision neurorehabilitation after traumatic brain injury and stroke: a narrative review.Frontiers in neurology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: This study employs network meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with different rehabilitation approaches in enhancing motor function in people suffering from stroke-related symptoms (PSSS). The objective is to determine the most effective tDCS-based rehabilitation approach and offer valuable evidence to guide clinical decision-making. Methods: This study included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before September 23, 2024. We conducted a systematic search across eight databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine (SinoMed), Wanfang, and VIP. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted utilizing R Studio and Stata 15.0 for data analysis. Results: A total of 74 RCTs were included in this study, encompassing 4,335 PSSS and 11 intervention strategies. The NMA revealed that brain-computer interface therapy (BCIT) in combination with tDCS [surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) = 88.34%] was the most effective tDCS-based intervention for improving the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity score in PSSS. Mirror therapy (MT) in combination with tDCS (SUCRA = 85.96%) was identified as the optimal intervention for enhancing the Action Research Arm Test score in PSSS. MT + tDCS (SUCRA = 84.29%) was the best approach for improving the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Lower Extremity score. Additionally, acupuncture and moxibustion (AM) in combination with tDCS (SUCRA = 77.16%) was the most effective intervention for increasing the Berg Balance Scale score in PSSS. The two-dimensional clustering analysis showed that MT + tDCS (SUCRA = 75.83%/85.96%) was the optimal tDCS-based rehabilitation strategy for treating upper limb motor dysfunction in PSSS, while AM+tDCS (SUCRA = 76.94%/77.16%) was the best tDCS-based rehabilitation strategy for improving lower limb motor dysfunction in PSSS. Conclusion: BCIT+tDCS was identified as the optimal tDCS-based rehabilitation strategy for improving upper limb motor ability in PSSS, MT + tDCS was the most effective intervention for enhancing arm mobility, MT + tDCS was the best protocol for improving lower limb motor ability, while AM+tDCS was the best strategy for improving balance ability. Furthermore, MT + tDCS was the optimal tDCS-based rehabilitation approach for treating upper limb motor dysfunction, whereas AM+tDCS was the most effective strategy for addressing lower limb motor dysfunction in PSSS. Future studies may focus on investigating the therapeutic effects of MT combined with tDCS on Berg Balance Scale score in PSSS, as well as the effects of AM combined with tDCS on Action Research Arm Test score, in order to further explore the therapeutic potential of these two intervention strategies. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024621998, Identifier PROSPERO CRD42024621998.
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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.