Variables and Assessment in stroke research: A systematic review

Abstract

Abstract

            This systematic review was conducted using the PubMed search strategy for original Thai traditional medicine rehabilitation studies in stroke patients published between 1997 and 2016. Independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts against eligibility criteria, and then relevant variables were extracted from full-text articles. All extracted variables were assessed for clinical importance and feasibility by a specialist team consisting of a rehabilitation physician, a Thai traditional medicine physician, and
a stroke unit nurse. Of 118, there were 16 studies included, consisting of 66 variables that could be classified into three groups: 31 demographic variables, 19 questionnaires, and 16 symptom variables. Clinical importance and feasibility evaluated by a specialist team demonstrated 51 variables with clinical significance and high feasibility, two variables with clinical importance but low feasibility, one variable without clinical importance but high feasibility, and 18 variables without clinical importance and insufficient feasibility. This systematic review presented variables with clinical significance and feasibility for research of stroke. Still, no variable was found related to the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of stroke with Thai traditional medicine. However, the guidelines healing process of Thai traditional medicine has not entered a care system and lacks a research process. Therefore, the systematic review of the literature is beneficial for further research on the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of stroke patients.

Keywords: Cerebrovascular disease, Stroke, Variables, Clinical importance, Feasibility