{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,5]],"date-time":"2026-09-05T01:59:33Z","timestamp":1788573573007,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":80,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,4,21]],"date-time":"2021-04-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1618963200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Objective: To assess the effect of therapeutic massage for improving sequelae in stroke survivors. Methods: A systematic review of the nine medical databases from January 1961 to December 2020 was carried out. The bibliography was screened to identify randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). Two reviewers independently screened references, selected relevant studies, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the PEDro scale. The primary outcome was upper and lower limb motor function and spasticity. Results: A total of 3196 studies were identified and 18 RCT were finally included (1989 individuals). A meta-analysis of RCTs in the comparison of Chinese massage (Tuina) plus conventional physiotherapy versus conventional physiotherapy was performed. The mean difference (MD) in the subacute stage on upper limb motor-function using the Fugl Meyer Assessment was 2.75; (95% confidence interval (CI) from 0.97 to 4.53, p = 0.002, I2 = 36%). The MD on upper limb spasticity using modified Ashworth scale was \u22120.15; (95% CI from \u22120.24 to \u22120.06, p &lt; 0.02, I2 = 0%).The MD on lower limb spasticity was \u22120.59; (95% CI from \u22120.78 to \u22120.40, p &lt; 0.001, I2 = 0%) in the endpoint. Conclusions: Therapeutic massage, especially Tuina, in addition to conventional therapy is effective for improving motor function and for reducing spasticity in stroke survivors.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18094424","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,4,21]],"date-time":"2021-04-21T12:47:07Z","timestamp":1619009227000},"page":"4424","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":40,"title":["The Effectiveness of Massage Therapy for Improving Sequelae in Post-Stroke Survivors. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5255-2494","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rosa","family":"Cabanas-Vald\u00e9s","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6860-6725","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jordi","family":"Calvo-Sanz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Physiotherapy Department, School of Health Sciences, Tecno Campus, Matar\u00f3-Pompeu Fabra University (TCM-UPF), 08302 Barcelona, Spain"},{"name":"Hospital Asepeyo Sant Cugat del Vall\u00e8s, 08174 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6137-1321","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pol","family":"Serra-Llobet","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Joana","family":"Alcoba-Kait","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Barcelona, Spain"},{"name":"CENAC, 08028 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7137-3184","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Vanessa","family":"Gonz\u00e1lez-Rueda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Barcelona, Spain"},{"name":"Fundaci\u00f3 Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l\u2019Atenci\u00f3 Primaria de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08007 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8207-2507","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pere Ram\u00f3n","family":"Rodr\u00edguez-Rubio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,4,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"3238165","article-title":"Stroke in the21stCentury: A Snapshot of the Burden, Epidemiology, and Quality of Life","volume":"2018","author":"Donkor","year":"2018","journal-title":"Stroke Res. 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