This study aimed to systematically evaluate the current research status of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) manipulation for the treatment of post-stroke limb numbness using an evidence mapping approach. Electronic searches were conducted in eight Chinese and English databases from their inception to June 1, 2025, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining TCM manipulation for limb dysfunction after stroke, and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2.0). A total of 37 RCTs were included, involving seven types of outcome indicators and fourteen TCM manipulation techniques. Most studies suggested that TCM manipulation was effective in improving limb numbness and motor function after stroke, with certain techniques, such as the pressing method, showing consistently positive effects across multiple outcome indicators; however, the overall methodological quality of the included studies was generally low. Overall, TCM manipulation appears to have a beneficial effect on improving limb numbness and related functional outcomes after stroke, but the limited quality of the existing evidence underscores the need for further well-designed, standardized clinical trials and exploration of combined intervention strategies.

Shujing Ji, Haixia Yang, Mengmeng Wang, Sha Liu. Evidence Map Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Manipulation Interventions for Post-stroke Limb Numbness. Frontiers in Medical Science Research (2025), Vol. 7, Issue 6: 109-116. https://doi.org/10.25236/FMSR.2025.070614.

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