Table 6. Meta-analysis of the effects of fire acupuncture vs. electroacupuncture or acupuncture.
| Outcomes or Subgroup 1.1ER | Studies 12 | Participants 784 | Statistical Method Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | Effect Estimate 1.51 [1.36,1.66] | P | Heterogeneity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P<0.00001 | P = 0.04;I2 = 46% | |||||
| 1.2ER(for limbs) | 8 | 434 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI) | 1.60 [1.29,1.97] | P<0.00001 | P = 0.004;I2 = 66% |
| 1.2.1ER(for upper limbs) | 6 | 352 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI) | 1.71 [1.27,2.30] | P = 0.0005 | P = 0.001;I2 = 75% |
| 1.2.2ER(for lower limbs) | 2 | 82 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI) | 1.37 [1.11,1.70] | P = 0.004 | P = 0.50;I2 = 0% |
| 1.3ER(for the thickness of FA) | 10 | 566 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 1.46 [1.30, 1.64] | P<0.00001 | P = 0.75;I2 = 0% |
| 1.3.1ER(≤0.35mm*(20~40)mm) | 4 | 244 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 1.42 [1.19, 1.70] | P<0.0001 | P = 0.79;I2 = 0% |
| 1.3.1ER(>0.35mm*(20~40)mm) | 6 | 322 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 1.49 [1.28, 1.73] | P<0.00001 | P = 0.46;I2 = 0% |
| 1.4ER (for the depth of FA) | 11 | 662 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 1.53 [1.37, 1.71] | P<0.00001 | P = 0.23;I2 = 22% |
| 1.4.1ER(<3mm) | 1 | 60 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 1.50 [1.09, 2.06] | P = 0.01 | Not applicable |
| 1.4.2ER(3-15mm) | 7 | 462 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 1.57 [1.38, 1.80] | P<0.00001 | P = 0.05;I2 = 52% |
| 1.4.3ER(>15mm) | 3 | 140 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 1.39 [1.09, 1,79] | P = 0.009 | P = 0.61;I2 = 0% |
| 1.5RR(for the whole body) | 7 | 420 | Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 2.59 [1.75, 3.84] | P<0.00001 | P = 0.79;I2 = 0% |
| 1.6MAS(for the whole body) | 12 | 720 | Std.Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | 0.47 [0.18, 0.77] | P = 0.002 | P<0.0001;I2 = 73% |
| 1.7MAS | 8 | 401 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | 0.41 [0.21, 0.61] | P<0.0001 | P = 0.15;I2 = 35% |
| 1.7.1MAS(for upper limbs) | 6 | 332 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | 0.50 [0.28, 0.72] | P<0.00001 | P = 0.22;I2 = 29% |
| 1.7.2MAS(for lower limbs) | 2 | 70 | Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | 0.01 [-0.47, 0.48] | P = 0.98 | P = 0.57;I2 = 0% |
| 1.8MAS(the course of disease) | 10 | 500 | Std.Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | 0.50 [0.15, 0.84] | P = 0.004 | P = 0.0003;I2 = 71% |
| 1.8.1MAS(≤6m) | 8 | 408 | Std.Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | 0.38 [0.05, 0.70] | P = 0.02 | P = 0.01;I2 = 61% |
| 1.8.2MAS(>6m) | 2 | 92 | Std.Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | 1.14 [-0.49, 2.78] | P = 0.17 | P = 0.001;I2 = 71% |
| 1.9MAS(the depth of FA) | 10 | 570 | Std.Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | 0.48 [0.11, 0.85 | P = 0.01 | P<0.00001;I2 = 78% |
| 1.9.1MAS(3-15mm) | 8 | 510 | Std.Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | 0.54 [0.12, 0.95] | P = 0.01 | P<0.00001;I2 = 81% |
| 1.9.2MAS(>15mm) | 2 | 60 | Std.Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | 0.21 [-0.51, 0.93] | P = 0.57 | P = 0.16;I2 = 50% |
| 1.10FMA | 7 | 418 | Std.Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | 2.27 [1.40, 3.13] | P<0.00001 | P<0.00001;I2 = 92% |
| 1.11BI | 4 | 216 | Std.Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | 1.46 [1.03, 1.90] | P<0.00001 | P = 0.11;I2 = 51% |
| 1.12NDS | 3 | 180 | Std.Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) | 0.90 [0.44, 1.35] | P = 0.0001 | P = 0.11;I2 = 54% |
ER = effective rate; RR = Recovery rate; FMA = Fugl-Meyer; MAS = The modified Ashworth scale; CSI = Clinic Spastcity Index;
BI = Barthel Index; NDS = neurological function deficit scale.