Electroacupuncture for the treatment of ischemic stroke: A preclinical meta-analysis and systematic review
Abstract
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and electroacupuncture has a long history of use in stroke treatment. This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture and explore its potential mechanisms in animal models of ischemic stroke. The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and CINAHL databases were comprehensively searched up to May 1, 2024. This review included articles on preclinical investigations of the efficacy and mechanisms of electroacupuncture in treating ischemic stroke. Data from 70 eligible studies were analyzed in Stata 18.0, using a random-effects model to calculate the standardized mean difference (Hedge’s g). The risk of bias was assessed using RevMan 5.4 software, and the quality of evidence was rated according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Subgroup analyses were conducted to test the consistency of the results and sensitivity analyses were used to assess their robustness. The quality assessment revealed that most studies adequately handled incomplete data and selective reporting. However, several methodological limitations were identified: only 4 studies demonstrated a low risk of allocation concealment, 26 achieved a low risk of outcome assessment bias, and 9 had a high risk of randomization bias. Additionally, there was an unclear risk regarding participant blinding and other methodological aspects. The GRADE assessment…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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