Table 4. Effect sizes and subgroup analysis of DEX on motor block characteristics.
| Subgroup | Onset of motor block (min) | Duration of motor block (min) | ||||||
| N* | Effect size# (95% CI) | I2 test (%) | P value | N* | Effect size# (95% CI) | I2 test (%) | P value | |
| All studies | 3 (163) | −3.26 (−6.35, 0.02) | 95 | 0.05 | 7 (341) | 103.37 (57.03, 149.71) | 97 | < 0.0001 |
| DEX route | ||||||||
| DEX via epidural route | — | — | — | — | 1 (36) | 90.00 (36.47, 143.53) | NA | 0.001 |
| DEX via intrathecal route | 3 (163) | −3.26 (−6.35, 0.02) | 95 | 0.05 | 5 (245) | 119.71 (82.80, 156.62) | 94 | < 0.00001 |
| DEX via caudal route | — | — | — | — | 1 (60) | 8.00 (−9.05, 25.05) | NA | 0.36 |
| DEX dose | ||||||||
| ≤5 μg | 2 (103) | −2.40 (−7.50, 2.70) | 92 | 0.36 | 3 (138) | 90.51 (66.11, 114.92) | 56 | < 0.00001 |
| > 5 μg | 2 (103) | −4.15 (−10.77, 2.46) | 98 | 0.22 | 5 (246) | 110.87 (40.58, 181.17) | 98 | 0.002 |
* Number of trials pooled (total number of subjects).
# Effect size: weighted mean difference for both onset and duration of motor block (min).
Abbreviations: NA, not applicable.