Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41180533›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in neurology2025

Electroacupuncture for post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Zhihui Zhang, Kaiyang Xue, Hongying Li, Mingxi Yan, Jin Cui

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

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 3 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Review
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

5 authors.

Zhihui ZhangSchool of Acupuncture and Tuina, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China.
Kaiyang XueDepartment of Acupuncture, Tuina and Physical Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Hongying LiSchool of Acupuncture and Tuina, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China.
Mingxi YanSchool of Acupuncture and Tuina, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China.
Jin CuiSchool of Acupuncture and Tuina, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and purpose: Electroacupuncture (EA) is a non-pharmacological therapy within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating depressive disorders. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of EA in treating post-stroke depression (PSD). Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched up to May 31, 2025, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on EA for PSD were screened. After two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in included studies, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software (version 5.4) and Stata/MP software (version 17.0). Results: Eleven studies involving 853 participants were included. EA significantly reduced Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores (mean difference [MD] = -3.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.78 to -1.59, Conclusion: EA may be an effective therapeutic approach for the comprehensive management of PSD. The observed clinical benefits of EA, including improvements in depression scale scores and quality of life metrics, may contribute to its potential utility in PSD management. However, the certainty of this evidence is limited by the low methodological quality of the available primary studies. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/search, identifier CRD420251055828.

Indexed as

depressionelectroacupuncturemeta-analysispost-strokesystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41180533
PMCPMC12576895

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.