title: A meta-analysis of constraint-induced movement therapy after stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of constraint-induced movement therapy in adult stroke patients and to examine the impact of time since stroke and various treatment modalities.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane and PEDro trial registers were searched for clinical trials published before November 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials of constraint-induced movement therapy lasting 2-7 h/day for 8-28 days were included.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements were classified into the following categories: arm motor function, arm motor activity, activities of daily living, and participation. A pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated for each category. Moderators were: trial quality, behavioural techniques, amount of training, time since stroke, shaping, and the nature of the control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 3842 records initially screened 23 trials were included. A small post-treatment effect was found on arm motor function (SMD 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11-0.44). Meanwhile, a moderate effect on arm motor activity was found post-treatment (SMD 0.51, 95% CI 0.30-0.73) and at 3-6 months follow-up (SMD 0.41, 95% CI 0.08-0.74).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Constraint-induced movement therapy can improve arm motor function and improve arm motor activities and may have a lasting effect on arm motor activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Caring Sciences, University of Tromsø, Faculty of Health Sciences, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway. gyrd.thrane@uit.no.
authors.forename: Gyrd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thrane
authors.forename: Oddgeir
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Friborg
authors.forename: Audny
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anke
authors.forename: Bent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Indredavik
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D006801:Humans; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology