Meta-analysis of the therapeutic effect of massage on patients with
constipation after stroke
Abstract
Objective: To assess the efficacy of massage therapy on the improvement
of constipation in post-stroke patients by using a meta-analysis.
Methods: The randomized controlled trials on the efficacy of massage in
the treatment of constipation after stroke were retrieved in PubMed, web
of science, Cochrane, EBSCO, China Knowledge Resource Integrated
Database (CNKI), Wan Fang Data, and Weipu Database until September 2019.
These articles whose quality met the inclusion criteria will be assessed
using the evaluation method which recommended by the Cochrane
Collaboration. The software RevMan 5.3 provided by the Cochrane
Collaboration was used. Results: A total of 15 studies with 1224
patients were included for the statistical analysis. Results showed that
massage can improve the total effective rate of post-stroke constipation
patients compared with conventional treatment (RR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.22
- 1.63, P < 0.00001). Also, some secondary outcome indicators’
results were also superior to the control group, including the modified
Rankin scale (SMD = -0.53, 95% CI = -1.02 - -0.04, P = 0.03), the
self-rating depression scale (SMD = -1.25, 95% CI = -1.73 - -0.77, P
< 0.00001) and the self-designed scales ([RR = 1.74, 95% CI
= 1.26 - 2.40, P = 0.0007], [RR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.97 - 1.42, P =
0.09], [RR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.16 - 3.19, P = 0.01], [RR = 1.22,
95% CI = 1.09 - 1.38, P = 0.0008], [RR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.11 -
3.30, P = 0.02]). Conclusion: Massage has certain curative effect on
patients with constipation after stroke. Meta-analysis results imply
that massage therapy could be a beneficial complementary treatment for a
patient suffering constipation after stroke. Limited by the number and
quality of the included studies, the above conclusions need to be
further studied to confirm.