Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41743057›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in neurology

Network meta-analysis of different acupuncture methods for post-stroke upper-limb spasticity.

Fanyu Xing, Rongwei Zhang, Yang Guo, Yanfei Wang, Yuhong Guo, Linxuan Yang, Zhaoqing Wang, Zhitong Liu, Ruixing Jiang, Jingyi Wang and 3 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in neurology. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

13 authors.

Fanyu Xing *Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Rongwei Zhang *The Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Yang GuoFirst Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Yanfei WangFirst Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Yuhong GuoFirst Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Linxuan YangBaoshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baoshan, China.
Zhaoqing WangTianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Zhitong LiuTianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Ruixing JiangTianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Jingyi WangTianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Yiting ZhaoTianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Jiangwei Shi *First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Lili Yin *First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, acupuncture therapy is widely used for post-stroke upper-limb spasticity. However, the available evidence remains insufficient to determine the relative effectiveness of different acupuncture protocols. Methods: This study retrieved relevant databases and systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture treatment for post-stroke upper-limb spasticity. A total of 28 trials involving 14 acupuncture treatment protocols were included. A network meta-analysis was performed using Stata 18 software. Results: The results indicated that the Balanced Yin-Yang Acupuncture + Rehabilitation yielded the best outcomes in improving Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores, while Luan's Three-Needle Technique combined with Meridian Sinew Cluster Needling + Rehabilitation was most effective in reducing modified Ashworth scale scores. Discussion: A comparison of efficacy indicators across 14 different acupuncture methods combined with rehabilitation showed that Balanced Yin-Yang Acupuncture + Rehabilitation and Luan's Three-Needle Technique combined with Meridian Sinew Cluster Needling + Rehabilitation were more effective in treating post-stroke upper-limb spasticity. Owing to limitations in the current body of research, these conclusions need to be further verified by more high-quality randomized controlled trials. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD420251110982.

Indexed as

acupuncturenetwork meta-analysisspasticitystrokeupper limb

Identifiers

PMID41743057
PMCPMC12931285

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.