Why the study?
Post-stroke depression worsens recovery and increases mortality, but the effects of traditional Chinese exercises on post-stroke depression had not been systematically reviewed.
Do traditional Chinese exercises improve depressive symptoms and daily living abilities in patients with post-stroke depression?
Do traditional Chinese exercises improve depressive symptoms and daily living abilities in patients with post-stroke depression?
Traditional Chinese exercises offer significant benefits in treating post-stroke depression by reducing depressive symptoms and improving motor function and daily living abilities.
Supports traditional Chinese exercises in post-stroke depression care; extends trial data with pooled efficacy on symptoms and response.
Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication that worsens neurological recovery and increases mortality among stroke survivors, creating a significant burden on patients and families. While exercise interventions are known to alleviate depressive symptoms in mild stroke cases, the effects of traditional Chinese exercises on PSD have not been systematically reviewed. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese exercises in treating PSD. A comprehensive search of eight Chinese and English databases identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to July 2024. Data were independently screened, extracted, and analyzed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 17, with heterogeneity assessed through sensitivity, subgroup, and meta-regression analyses. Ten RCTs involving 627 participants were included. Meta-analysis revealed that traditional Chinese exercises significantly reduced depressive symptoms and improved daily living abilities in PSD patients. Specifically, HAMD scores decreased [SMD = −1.40, 95% CI (−1.88, −0.92), p < 0.00001], treatment efficacy improved [OR = 3.74, 95% CI (1.69, 8.28), p = 0.001], FMA scores increased [MD = 6.22, 95% CI (4.12, 8.32), p < 0.00001], and BI levels rose [MD = 4.95, 95% CI (2.96, 6.93), p < 0.00001]. In conclusion, traditional Chinese exercises offer significant benefits in treating PSD, demonstrating both efficacy and safety. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024574791 .
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Li et al. (2025) studied this question.
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