Effects of mind-body exercise on physical and psychosocial well-being of stroke patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Author: Jing Jing Su1, Rose S Y Lin2, Ladislav Batalik3, Hammoda Abu-Odah4, Garyfallia Pepera5, Qiang Xu6, Wing Fai Yeung4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong; The Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. <sup>2</sup> Elaine C. Hubbard Center for Nursing Research on Aging, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, USA. Electronic address: rosie@connect.hku.hk. <sup>3</sup> Department of Rehabilitation, University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. <sup>4</sup> School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong. <sup>5</sup> School of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Clinical Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory, University of Thessaly, Lamia, Greece. <sup>6</sup> Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Conference/Journal: Geriatr Nurs
Date published: 2023 Dec 29
Other: Volume ID: 55 , Pages: 346-353 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.12.011. , Word Count: 155


This study conducted pairwise and network meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of three mind-body exercise interventions (Tai Chi, Qigong, and yoga) on physical capacity, psychological well-being, and quality of life in stroke patients. The research encompassed 30 studies involving 2107 participants and utilized the Risk of Bias 2.0 tool for quality assessment. Pairwise analysis revealed that all three mind-body exercises significantly enhanced patients' quality of life. Tai Chi demonstrated the most comprehensive improvements in balance, limb motor function, activities of daily living, and depression. Network meta-analysis indicated that Qigong was the most effective in improving balance and quality of life for post-stroke patients, followed by Tai Chi. These findings underscore the positive impact of mind-body exercises on both physical and psychosocial outcomes in stroke patients. However, further research involving rigorously designed and adequately powered trials is necessary to enhance the level of evidence in this area.

Keywords: Mind-body exercise; Network meta-analysis; Stroke; Systematic review.

PMID: 38159477 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.12.011