Linking Medical Treatment and Physiotherapy in Stroke Recovery: A Meta-Analytical Statistical Synthesis

Authors

  • Abeer Mohammed
  • Mohamed Elfar
  • Amira Afify
  • Heba Gaber
  • Mohamed Raafat Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3400-2034
  • Kholoud Soliman
  • Amash Alajmi Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0172-4827
  • Ahmad Quneis
  • Forat Alomoush
  • Kalmah AL-Olimat Department of maternal and child health, School of nursing, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9635-846X
  • Shorooq Almaaitah Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Mu'tah University,Alkarak, Jordan
  • Yazeed Hijazi
  • Asma Atwa
  • Ahmed Alja'fari Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Mu'tah University,Alkarak, Jordan https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6216-6581
  • Wessam Mohamed Department of physical therapy, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya university,Amman, Jordan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v67.115269

Keywords:

Stroke Recovery, Physiotherapy, Medical Treatment, Meta-Analysis, Rehabilitation Outcomes.

Abstract

Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, necessitating integrated approaches to rehabilitation. This meta-analytical study synthesized data from previously published peer-reviewed articles to assess the combined impact of physiotherapy and medical treatment on stroke recovery. To investigate motor and cognitive outcomes, independence in recovery time to (ADLs) and quality of life, data from studies that contained information from over 10,000 patients were analyzed. The meta-analysis covered 18 studies (2010–2023) from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria focusing on adult stroke patients and quantitative outcome reporting. Statistical analysis utilized independent t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression. Key findings revealed a significant improvement in motor function in the combined treatment group (M = 71, SD = 9.4) compared to the medical-only group (M = 58, SD = 10.1), t (9988) = 35.2, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.32. Cognitive scores were also significantly higher in the combined group (M = 83.4, SD = 8.2) versus medical-only (M = 70.3, SD = 9.1), t (9988) = 30.1, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.25. Regression analysis indicated that treatment type and age were significant predictors of recovery outcomes (R² = 0.67, F (4, 9945) = 506.3, p < 0.001). Demographic subgroup analysis highlighted better outcomes in younger female patients and those with hemorrhagic stroke. The study underscores the importance of early, structured physiotherapy within multidisciplinary care models and provides statistically grounded insights to inform stroke rehabilitation protocols.

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Published

28-04-2025

Issue

Vol. 67 (2025)

Section

Theoretical systematic reviews and/or meta-analysis

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Abeer Mohammed, Mohamed Elfar, Amira Afify, Heba Gaber, Mohamed Raafat, Kholoud Soliman, Mohamed Ghareeb, Ahmad Quneis, Forat Alomoush, amash alajmi, Kalmah AL-Olimat, Yazeed Hijazi, Mohamed Zidan, Kerolous Kelini, Asma Atwa, Ahmed Alja'fari , Wessam Mohamed, ma'in Abu-shaikha

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How to Cite

Mohammed, A. ., Elfar, M. ., Afify, A., Gaber, H., Raafat, M., Soliman, K. ., Alajmi, A., Quneis, A., Alomoush, F., AL-Olimat, K., Almaaitah, S., Hijazi, Y., Atwa, A., Alja'fari , A., & Mohamed, W. (2025). Linking Medical Treatment and Physiotherapy in Stroke Recovery: A Meta-Analytical Statistical Synthesis. Retos, 67, 1177-1189. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v67.115269