title: Constraint-induced movement therapy in stroke patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Upper extremity paresis is a leading cause of disability after stroke. A Cochrane review found an impact on disability of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), its modified forms (mCIMT) and Forced Use (FU), with a moderate significant effect and a large significant effect on arm motor function. This article aims to present an update of the Cochrane review and assess the effects of CIMT, mCIMT and FU on disability and arm motor function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic databases were searched for Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) and quasi-RCTs comparing CIMT, mCIMT or FU with other rehabilitative techniques, or none, in adult stroke patients. The primary and secondary outcomes were disability and arm motor function. Two reviewers independently screened search results, documented the methodological quality and extracted data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four new studies were added to the previous review, for a total of 18 studies. The updated meta-analyses no longer indicate a benefit of CIMT mCIMT and FU on disability (eight studies, 276 participants, Standardised Mean Difference (SMD) 0.21, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.50), and a moderate benefit on arm motor function (14 studies, 479 participants, SMD 0.44, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.93).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New evidence pushes the overall estimate of benefit toward the null effect. The majority of studies were underpowered and imprecise, exposing these analyses to small-study bias. This may explain why accumulation of evidence makes overall estimates inconsistent. Larger randomised trials to resolve these uncertainties are needed.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Functional Recovery, Fondazione Centro San Raffaele del Monte Tabor, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corbetta
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sirtori
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moja
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gatti
mesh_terms: D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000379:methods*; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity