Effects of mind-body exercise on physical and psychosocial well-being of stroke patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

•Thirty randomized controlled trials included 13 studies providing Tai Chi interventions, 11 studies providing Qigong interventions, and six studies utilizing yoga interventions.•Tai Chi exercise exhibited the most significant improvements across multiple domains, including balance, limb motor function, activities of daily living, and depression.•Qigong intervention was found to be the most effective in enhancing balance and overall quality of life, with Tai Chi following closely in its positive impact. This study conducted pairwise and network meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of three mind-body exercise interventions (Tai Chi, Qigong, and yoga) on physical capacity, psychological well-being, and quality of life in stroke patients. The research encompassed 30 studies involving 2107 participants and utilized the Risk of Bias 2.0 tool for quality assessment. Pairwise analysis revealed that all three mind-body exercises significantly enhanced patients' quality of life. Tai Chi demonstrated the most comprehensive improvements in balance, limb motor function, activities of daily living, and depression. Network meta-analysis indicated that Qigong was the most effective in improving balance and quality of life for post-stroke patients, followed by Tai Chi. These findings underscore the positive impact of mind-body exercises on both physical and psychosocial outcomes in stroke patients. However, further research involving rigorously designed and adequately powered trials is necessary to enhance the level of evidence in this area.