Abstract
Introduction Hemiplegia is the common term used to describe a multitude of clinical problems associated with a stroke. Hemiplegic stroke accounts for 70-85% of all first strokes. Trunk stability is impaired due to hypertonia and weakness in hemiplegia. Impaired trunk control leads to gait and postural abnormalities which if left untreated causes permanent disability in hemiplegics. Objective To investigate the scope of research on the benefits of explicit training using Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) for enhancing tone and postural control in subjects with hemiplegic stroke. Methods In order to adhere to established protocols of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, the systematic review will be carried out to find pertinent studies published up to the search date, and a thorough search strategy will be applied across popular electronic databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. This systematic review methodology has been registered in PROSPERO for rigorous and transparent dissemination of study search, synthesis, and analysis. Discussion As the motor impairments due to abnormal tone and postural impairment in hemiplegic stroke substantially impact a stroke survivor’s quality of life, this study will provide a thorough and methodical approach to synthesize and report the merits and demerits on the effectiveness of NDT in enhancing tone and postural control, considering the potential variability in interventions and outcomes, and the methodological rigor of particular studies. The review also intends to provide significant insights for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers by critically analysing and summarizing the present state of research in this domain. This will facilitate evidence-based decision-making in rehabilitation techniques for patients with hemiplegic stroke. Systematic Review Registration number CRD42023476137