Bloodletting for Acute Stroke Recovery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bloodletting is a non-pharmacological treatment commonly used for acute stroke in traditional East Asian medicine. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of bloodletting in acute stroke recovery.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search of eight electronic databases up to 4 June 2024 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Review Manager 5.4 was used for the meta-analysis, with methodological quality assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the GRADE approach.

Results

Seventeen RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. The bloodletting group showed statistically significant improvements in neurological deficits compared to the non-bloodletting group, as measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (mean

SUBMITTER: Kim M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11507497 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature