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. 2025 Aug 7:16:1639425.
doi: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1639425. eCollection 2025.

Value of temporal muscle thickness in predicting outcomes of stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Min Fang  1 , Fangjun Wang  2 , Yu Sheng  1 , Shengchen Qiu  2
Affiliations

Value of temporal muscle thickness in predicting outcomes of stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Min Fang et al. Front Neurol. .

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review examined if temporal muscle thickness (TMT) as a surrogate marker of sarcopenia was a predictor of outcomes after stroke.

Methods: We explored the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases till 18th January 2025 for studies reporting stroke prognosis based on baseline TMT. Pooled analyses examined associations with post-stroke mortality, functional outcomes, and dysphagia. Meta-regression was conducted using baseline NIHSS and TMT values as moderators.

Results: Nine studies were available. Meta-analysis showed that low TMT was associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of post-stroke mortality (OR: 1.42 95% CI: 1.03, 1.96 I 2 = 43%). A pooled analysis of five studies showed that there was a tendency for good functional outcomes with high TMT (OR: 1.24 95% CI: 1.00, 1.54 I 2 = 75%). But the results were non-significant. Two studies showed that baseline TMT was significantly associated with an increased risk of dysphagia. Meta-regression did not identify significant moderating effects.

Conclusion: Preliminary evidence suggests that lower TMT is associated with higher mortality after stroke, while associations with functional recovery remain inconclusive. Current limitations, including heterogeneity and lack of sex-specific analyses, preclude routine clinical use. Further standardized and patient-level research is warranted.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42025637925.

Keywords: dysphagia; functional outcomes; mortality; sarcopenia; skeletal muscle thickness; stroke.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flowchart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pooled analysis for the association between TMT and mortality.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Pooled analysis for the association between TMT and good functional outcomes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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