A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Mindful Exercises on Rehabilitative Outcomes among post-stroke patients.

Author: Zou L1, Sasaki JE2, Zeng N3, Wang C4, Sun L5
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: liyezou123@cuhk.edu.hk. <sup>2</sup>Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 35233. <sup>3</sup>School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. <sup>4</sup>Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China. <sup>5</sup>School of Humanities and Social Science, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China.
Conference/Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil.
Date published: 2018 May 5
Other: Pages: S0003-9993(18)30283-1 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2018.04.010. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 217


OBJECTIVE: To critically evaluate the rehabilitative effects of mindful exercises for post-stroke patients.

DATA SOURCES: Six databases (PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang, and CNKI) and reference lists of relevant articles were searched.

STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of mindful exercises on rehabilitative outcomes such as sensorimotor function, gait speed, leg strength, aerobic endurance, cognitive function, and overall motor function).

DATA EXTRACTION: Two investigators independently screened eligible studies according to the eligible criteria, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Twenty studies that satisfied the eligibility criteria were finally included. The sum scores of 5 to 9 points in the adapted PEDro scale indicates low-to-medium risk of bias. The study results of meta-analysis indicate that mindful exercise intervention was significantly associated with improved sensorimotor function both on low limbs (SMD = 0.79, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.15, p < 0.001, I2 = 62.67%) and upper limbs (SMD = 0.7, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.01, p < 0.001, I2 = 32.36%).

CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that mindful exercises are effective in improving sensorimotor function of lower- and upper-limb in post-stroke patients. The effects on gait speed, leg strength, aerobic endurance, overall motor function, and other outcomes (e.g., cognitive function, gait parameters) require further investigation for allowing evidence-based conclusions.

Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

KEYWORDS: Tai Chi; Yoga; mindful exercise; rehabilitation; stroke

PMID: 29738744 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2018.04.010