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Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Repetitive task training for improving functional ability after stroke

Information

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006073.pub3Copy DOI
Database:
  1. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Version published:
  1. 14 November 2016see what's new
Type:
  1. Intervention
Stage:
  1. Review
Cochrane Editorial Group:
  1. Cochrane Stroke Group

Copyright:
  1. Copyright © 2016 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Authors

  • Beverley French

    Department of Nursing and Caring Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

  • Lois H Thomas

    Correspondence to: College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

    [email protected]

  • Jacqueline Coupe

    College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

  • Naoimh E McMahon

    College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

  • Louise Connell

    College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

  • Joanna Harrison

    Department of Nursing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

  • Christopher J Sutton

    College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

  • Svetlana Tishkovskaya

    School of Health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

  • Caroline L Watkins

    College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK

Contributions of authors

Beverley French co‐ordinated the review process. Beverley French, Lois Thomas, Jacqueline Coupe, Naoimh McMahon, Louise Connell, Michael Leathley, and Joanna Harrison undertook data filtration, extraction, appraisal and analysis. Jacqueline Coupe was responsible for the administration of the review process. Chris Sutton provided statistical expertise. Caroline Watkins undertook critical reading of outputs.

Sources of support

Internal sources

  • NIHR Cochrane Review Incentive Scheme 2015, UK.

    £5000

External sources

  • Department of Health Research and Development Health Technology Assessment Programme, UK.

Declarations of interest

Beverley French: none known.
Lois H Thomas: none known.
Jacqueline Coupe: none known.
Naoimh E McMahon: none known.
Louise Connell: none known.
Joanna Harrison: none known.
Christopher J Sutton: none known.
Svetlana Tishkovskaya: none known.
Caroline L Watkins: none known.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the support of Hazel Fraser from the Cochrane Stroke Group for her help in the review process. We also thank all of the trial authors who kindly replied to our requests for information. We thank the authors of the original review: Anne Forster, Peter Langhorne, Christopher Price, and Andrew Walker. Finally, we would like to thank the following for their helpful comments on the first draft of the review: Alex Pollock, Joshua Cheyne, Valentina Assi, Jan Mehrholz, Ailie Turton, Brian Stafford, and Matiram Pun.

Version history

Published

Title

Stage

Authors

Version

2016 Nov 14

Repetitive task training for improving functional ability after stroke

Review

Beverley French, Lois H Thomas, Jacqueline Coupe, Naoimh E McMahon, Louise Connell, Joanna Harrison, Christopher J Sutton, Svetlana Tishkovskaya, Caroline L Watkins

https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006073.pub3

2007 Oct 17

Repetitive task training for improving functional ability after stroke

Review

Beverley French, Lois H Thomas, Michael J Leathley, Christopher J Sutton, Joanna McAdam, Anne Forster, Peter Langhorne, Christopher IM Price, Andrew Walker, Caroline L Watkins, Louise Connell, Jacqueline Coupe, Naoimh McMahon

https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006073.pub2

2006 Jul 19

Repetitive task training for improving functional ability after stroke

Protocol

Beverley French, Anne Forster, Peter Langhorne, Michael J Leathley, Joanna McAdam, Christopher IM Price, Christopher J. Sutton, Lois H Thomas, Andrew Walker, Caroline L Watkins

https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006073

Differences between protocol and review

As all the studies in the original review were identified from the Cochrane Stroke Trials Register, we limited searching for this update to the Cochrane Stroke Trials Register and key electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CIHAHL, SPORTSDiscus, AMED, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform).

Keywords

MeSH

PICOs

Population
Intervention
Comparison
Outcome

The PICO model is widely used and taught in evidence-based health care as a strategy for formulating questions and search strategies and for characterizing clinical studies or meta-analyses. PICO stands for four different potential components of a clinical question: Patient, Population or Problem; Intervention; Comparison; Outcome.

See more on using PICO in the Cochrane Handbook.

Study flow diagram (2007 review and update 2016 figures)
Figures and Tables -
Figure 1

Study flow diagram (2007 review and update 2016 figures)

'Risk of bias' summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study.
Figures and Tables -
Figure 2

'Risk of bias' summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study.

'Risk of bias' graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.
Figures and Tables -
Figure 3

'Risk of bias' graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.

Comparison 1 Upper limb function: post treatment, Outcome 1 Arm function.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 1.1

Comparison 1 Upper limb function: post treatment, Outcome 1 Arm function.

Comparison 1 Upper limb function: post treatment, Outcome 2 Hand function.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 1.2

Comparison 1 Upper limb function: post treatment, Outcome 2 Hand function.

Comparison 1 Upper limb function: post treatment, Outcome 3 Sitting balance/reach.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 1.3

Comparison 1 Upper limb function: post treatment, Outcome 3 Sitting balance/reach.

Comparison 2 Upper limb function: follow‐up, Outcome 1 All outcomes.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 2.1

Comparison 2 Upper limb function: follow‐up, Outcome 1 All outcomes.

Comparison 3 Upper limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 1 Dosage of task practice.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 3.1

Comparison 3 Upper limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 1 Dosage of task practice.

Comparison 3 Upper limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 2 Time since stroke.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 3.2

Comparison 3 Upper limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 2 Time since stroke.

Comparison 3 Upper limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 3 Type of intervention.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 3.3

Comparison 3 Upper limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 3 Type of intervention.

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 1 Walking distance: change from baseline.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 4.1

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 1 Walking distance: change from baseline.

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 2 Walking speed.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 4.2

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 2 Walking speed.

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 3 Functional ambulation.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 4.3

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 3 Functional ambulation.

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 4 Sit‐to‐stand: post treatment/change from baseline.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 4.4

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 4 Sit‐to‐stand: post treatment/change from baseline.

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 5 Lower limb functional measures.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 4.5

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 5 Lower limb functional measures.

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 6 Standing balance/reach.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 4.6

Comparison 4 Lower limb function: post treatment, Outcome 6 Standing balance/reach.

Comparison 5 Lower limb function: follow‐up, Outcome 1 All outcomes.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 5.1

Comparison 5 Lower limb function: follow‐up, Outcome 1 All outcomes.

Comparison 6 Lower limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 1 Dosage of task practice.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 6.1

Comparison 6 Lower limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 1 Dosage of task practice.

Comparison 6 Lower limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 2 Time since stroke.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 6.2

Comparison 6 Lower limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 2 Time since stroke.

Comparison 6 Lower limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 3 Type of intervention.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 6.3

Comparison 6 Lower limb function: subgroup analyses, Outcome 3 Type of intervention.

Comparison 7 Secondary outcomes, Outcome 1 Activities of daily living function.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 7.1

Comparison 7 Secondary outcomes, Outcome 1 Activities of daily living function.

Comparison 7 Secondary outcomes, Outcome 2 Global motor function scales.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 7.2

Comparison 7 Secondary outcomes, Outcome 2 Global motor function scales.

Comparison 7 Secondary outcomes, Outcome 3 Quality of life/health status.
Figures and Tables -
Analysis 7.3

Comparison 7 Secondary outcomes, Outcome 3 Quality of life/health status.

Repetitive task training compared with usual care or attention control for patients with stroke

Patient or population: people with stroke

Settings: hospital, clinic or home

Intervention: repetitive task training (RTT)

Comparison: usual care, attention control or no treatment

Outcomes

Illustrative comparative risks (95% CI)

Relative effect
(95% CI)

No of participants
(studies)

Quality of the evidence
(GRADE)

Comments

Assumed risk

Corresponding risk

Estimated score / value with control

Absolute reduction in score / value with RTTa

Arm function

Arm function score in the repetitive task training groups was on average 0.25 standard deviations (0.01 to 0.49) higher than in the control groups.

SD units, measured using different instruments; higher scores mean better arm function.

SMD 0.25, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.49

11 studies

749 participants

⊕⊕⊝⊝
low

Downgraded by one level for inconsistency (12 58%).

Downgraded by one level for study design (random sequence generation unclear in 4/11 trials and high risk in 1/11 trials in the meta‐analysis; allocation concealment unclear in 7/11 trials and high risk in 1/11 trials).

Hand function

Hand function score in the repetitive task training groups was on average 0.25 standard deviations (0.00 to 0.51) higher than in the control groups.

SD units, measured using different instruments; higher scores mean better hand function.

SMD 0.25, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.51

8 studies

619 participants

⊕⊕⊝⊝
low

Downgraded by one level for inconsistency (12 54%).

Downgraded by one level for study design (random sequence generation unclear in 2/8 trials and high risk in 1/8 trials in the meta‐analysis; allocation concealment unclear in 4/8 trials and high risk in 1/8 trials).

Walking distance: change from baseline

The mean change in

walking distance (metres walked in six minutes; a higher score means greater walking distance) in the control groups ranged from ‐1.0 to 118.5.

The mean

change in

walking distance (metres walked in six minutes; a higher score means greater walking distance) in the repetitive training group ranged from 19 to 221.

MD 34.80, 95% CI 18.19 to 51.41

9 studies

610 participants

⊕⊕⊕⊝
moderate

Downgraded by one level for study design (random sequence generation unclear in 6/9 trials in the meta‐analysis; allocation concealment unclear in 6/9 trials and high risk in 3/9 trials).

Walking speed

The mean walking speed in the control groups ranged from
0.29 to 2.47 metres per second. A higher score means faster walking speed.

The mean walking speed in the intervention groups ranged from 0.39 to 2.03 metres per second. A higher score means faster walking speed.

SMD 0.39, 95% CI ‐0.02 to 0.79

12 studies

685 participants

⊕⊕⊝⊝
low

Downgraded by one level for inconsistency (12 80%).

Downgraded by one level for study design (random sequence generation unclear in 7/12 trials in the meta‐analysis; allocation concealment unclear in 9/12 trials and high risk in 3/12 trials).

Functional ambulation

Functional ambulation score in the repetitive task training groups was on average 0.35 standard deviations (0.04 to 0.66) higher than in the control groups.

SD units, measured using different instruments; higher scores mean better function.

SMD 0.35, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.66

8 studies

525 participants

⊕⊕⊕⊝
moderate

Downgraded by one level for study design (random sequence generation unclear in 4/8 trials in the meta‐analysis; allocation concealment unclear in 7/8 trials and high risk in 1/8 trials).

Lower limb functional measures

Lower limb functional measures in the repetitive task training groups were on average 0.29 standard deviations (0.10 to 0.48) higher than in the control groups.

SD units, measured using different instruments; higher scores mean better function.

SMD 0.29, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.48

5 studies

419 participants

⊕⊕⊝⊝
low

Downgraded by one level for study design (random sequence generation unclear in 3/5 trials in the meta‐analysis; allocation concealment unclear in 3/5 trials and high risk in 1/5 trials).

Downgraded by one level for publication bias; 4 out of 5 are small studies (less than 50 participants).

Global motor function scales

Global motor function in the repetitive task training groups was on average 0.38 standard deviations (0.11 to 0.65) higher than in the control groups.

SD units, measured using different instruments; higher scores mean better function.

SMD 0.38, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.65

5 studies

222 participants

⊕⊕⊕⊝
moderate

Downgraded by one level for study design (random sequence generation unclear in 4/5 trials in the meta‐analysis; allocation concealment unclear in 4/5 trials and high risk in 1/5 trials).

Adverse events

Barreca 2004: 3/25 (12%) falls in the intervention group versus 4/23 (17.4%) in the control group, OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.13 to 3.27.

Holmgren 2010: 11 participants in total fell during study (32%), five in the intervention group and six in the attention control group.

van de Port 2012: 29 falls reported in the circuit training group and 26 in the usual physiotherapy group (P = 0.93). Two serious adverse events were reported in the circuit training group: one participant fell and consulted a GP and one patient experienced arrhythmias during one session.

Winstein 2016: 168 serious adverse events involving 109 participants. The most common were hospitalisation (n = 143, 25% of randomised participants) and recurrent stroke (n = 42, 9% of randomised participants). Adverse events were not presented by trial arm.

Salbach 2004: intervention‐related reasons for withdrawal that could be interpreted as adverse events included one participant out of 47 in a mobility training group who experienced the onset of groin pain. Four participants also fell during the mobility intervention but did not suffer injury and continued to participate in the group. Two falls also occurred during evaluation.

Two trials narratively reported no adverse effects (de Sèze 2001; McClellan 2004).

a As a rule of thumb, 0.2 SD represents a small difference, 0.5 a moderate, and 0.8 a large difference.

CI: confidence interval; MD: mean difference; SMD: standardised mean difference; OR: odds ratio; SD: standard deviation

GRADE Working Group grades of evidence
High quality: Further research is very unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of effect.
Moderate quality: Further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate.
Low quality: Further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate.
Very low quality: We are very uncertain about the estimate.

Figures and Tables -
Table 1. Criteria for subgroup and sensitivity analyses

STUDY

Task practice dose

Time since stroke

Type of intervention

Practice intensity

Allocation conceal

Comparison group

Therapy equivalence

Small trials

1 = 20 hours or less

2 = more than 20 hours

1 = 1 to 14 days

2 = 15 days to 6 months

3 = more than 6 months

1 = whole therapy

2 = mixed task

3 = single task

1 = 1 to 4 weeks or less

2 = more than 4 weeks

A = adequate

B = inadequate/unclear

AC = attention control

UC = usual care

EQ = equivalent therapy time

ADD = additional therapy time

1 = less than 25 participants

2 = 25 or more participants

Arya 2012

Not reported

2

1

1

A

UC

EQ

2

Baer 2007

Not reported

3

2

1

B

UC

ADD

2

Barreca 2004

1

2

1

2

B

AC

ADD

2

Blennerhassett 2004

1

2

2

1

B

AC

EQ

2

Dean 1997

1

3

3

1

B

AC

EQ

1

Dean 2000

1

3

2

1

B

AC

EQ

1

Dean 2007

1

2

3

1

B

AC

EQ

1

de Sèze 2001

1

2

3

1

B

UC

EQ

2

Frimpong 2014

1

2

2

2

B

UC

ADD

1

Gordon 2013

1

3

2

2

B

AC

EQ

2

Holmgren 2010

2

2

2

2

A

UC

ADD

2

Howe 2005

1

2

3

1

A

UC

ADD

2

Kim 2012

1

3

2

1

B

UC

ADD

1

Kim 2014

1

3

2

1

B

UC

ADD

2

Kim 2016

2

2

2

1

B

UC

ADD

1

Kwakkel 1999

2

1

2

2

B

AC

EQ

2

Langhammer 2000

1

1

1

1

B

UC

EQ

2

Lennon 2009

1

1

2

1

B

UC

EQ

2

McClellan 2004

2

3

2

2

B

AC

EQ

2

Mudge 2009

1

3

2

1

B

AC

EQ

2

Olawale 2011

2

3

2

2

B

UC

EQ

2

Park 2011

1

3

2

1

B

UC

ADD

2

Peurala 2009

2

1

2

1

B

UC

ADD

2

Ross 2009

2

3

2

2

A

UC

ADD

2

Salbach 2004

1

3

2

2

B

AC

EQ

2

Song 2015

1

3

2

1

B

UC

ADD

1

Tung 2010

1

3

1

1

B

UC

ADD

2

Turton 1990

2

2

2

2

B

UC

ADD

1

van de Port 2012

2

2

2

2

B

UC

ADD

2

Van Vliet 2005

1

1

1

1

B

UC

EQ

2

Winstein 2004

1

1

2

1

B

UC

ADD

2

Winstein 2016

2

2

2

2

A

UC

EQ

2

Yen 2005

2

3

2

1

B

UC

EQ

2

Figures and Tables -
Table 1. Criteria for subgroup and sensitivity analyses
Table 2. Outcome measures used from the included trials

Author and year

Global function

Lower limb function

Balance/sit‐to‐stand

Upper limb function

Hand function

ADL function

QOL, health status

Adverse events

Arya 2012

Action Research Arm Test ‐ gross arm movement

Barreca 2004

Number of participants able to stand

Dartmouth COOP

Falls

Blennerhassett 2004; Blennerhassett 2004a; Blennerhassett 2004b

6 Minute Walk Test; Step Test

Timed Up & Go Test

Motor Assessment Scale ‐ arm

Motor Assessment Scale ‐ hand

Dean 1997

10 Metre Walk Speed

Reaching distance

Dean 2000

6 Minute Walk Test;

10 Metre Walk Speed;

Step Test

Timed Up & Go Test

Dean 2007

10 Metre Walk Test

Reaching distance

de Sèze 2001

Functional Ambulation Classification

Sitting and Standing Equilibrium Index

Functional Independence Measure

Frimpong 2014

10 Metre Walk Test

Functional Ambulatory Category

Gordon 2013

6 Minute Walk Test

Barthel Index

SF‐36 physical health component

Holmgren 2010

Berg Balance Scale

Barthel Index

Howe 2005

Lateral reach ‐ time, sit‐to‐stand ‐ time

Kim 2012

10 Metre Walk Speed

Berg Balance Scale;

Timed Up & Go Test

Kim 2014

Stroke Impact Scale ‐ social participation subscale

10 Metre Walk Test

6 Minute Walk Test

Kim 2016

6 Minute Walk Test

Berg Balance Scale

Korean version of Modified Barthel Index

Kwakkel 1999; Kwakkel 1999a; Kwakkel 1999b

Functional Ambulation Classification;

Walking speed

Action Research Arm Test

Barthel Index

Nottingham Health Profile

Langhammer 2000

Motor Assessment Scale

Motor Assessment Scale ‐ walking;

Sødring Motor Evaluation Scale ‐ trunk, balance and gait

Motor Assessment Scale ‐ balanced sitting, Motor Assessment Scale ‐ sit‐to‐stand

Motor Assessment Scale ‐ arm

Motor Assessment Scale ‐ hand

Barthel Index

Nottingham Health Profile

Lennon 2009

5 Metre Walk Speed

McClellan 2004

Motor Assessment Scale ‐ walking

Functional Reach Test

Mudge 2009

6 Minute Walk Test

Olawale 2011

10 Metre Walk Speed

Park 2011

10 Metre Walk Speed;

6 Minute Walk Test;

Walking ability questionnaire

Activities‐Specific Balance Confidence Scale

Peurala 2009

Rivermead Mobility Index

Ross 2009

Wolf Motor Function Test (functional score)

Canadian Occupational Performace Measure

Salbach 2004; Salbach 2004a; Salbach 2004b

6 Minute Walk Test;

5 Metre Walk Speed

Timed Up and Go Test;

Berg Balance Scale

Box & Block Test

9 Hole Peg Test

Barthel Index

Tung 2010

Berg Balance Scale

Turton 1990

Southern Motor Group's Motor Assessment ‐ upper extremity

10 Hole Peg Test

van de Port 2012

6 Minute Walk Test;

5 Metre Walk Speed;

Stroke Impact Scale ‐ mobility domain

Timed Balance

Test

Van Vliet 2005

Rivermead Motor Assessment ‐ gross function

Rivermead Motor Assessment ‐ leg and trunk; 6 Minute Walk Test;

Motor Assessment Scale ‐ walking, Motor Assessment Scale ‐ leg and truck

Motor Assessment Scale ‐ balanced sitting, Motor Assessment Scale ‐ sit‐to‐stand

Motor Assessment Scale ‐ arm

Motor Assessment Scale ‐ hand

Barthel Index

Winstein 2004

Functional Test of the Hemiparetic Upper Extremity

Winstein 2016

Log Wolf Motor Function Test

Stroke Impact Scale ‐ hand function

Yen 2005

Wolf Motor Function Test

Figures and Tables -
Table 2. Outcome measures used from the included trials
Comparison 1. Upper limb function: post treatment

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Arm function Show forest plot

11

749

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.25 [0.01, 0.49]

2 Hand function Show forest plot

8

619

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.25 [0.00, 0.51]

3 Sitting balance/reach Show forest plot

6

222

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.28 [0.01, 0.55]

Figures and Tables -
Comparison 1. Upper limb function: post treatment
Comparison 2. Upper limb function: follow‐up

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 All outcomes Show forest plot

9

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

Subtotals only

1.1 Under 6 months post treatment

3

153

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.92 [0.58, 1.26]

1.2 6 to 12 months post treatment

6

412

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.10 [‐0.09, 0.30]

Figures and Tables -
Comparison 2. Upper limb function: follow‐up
Comparison 3. Upper limb function: subgroup analyses

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Dosage of task practice Show forest plot

15

833

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.33 [0.11, 0.56]

1.1 0 to 20 hours

9

383

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.23 [0.00, 0.46]

1.2 More than 20 hours

6

450

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.38 [‐0.03, 0.80]

2 Time since stroke Show forest plot

15

833

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.33 [0.11, 0.56]

2.1 0 to 15 days

4

239

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.21 [‐0.04, 0.47]

2.2 16 days to 6 months

7

421

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.48 [0.06, 0.91]

2.3 More than 6 months

4

173

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.24 [‐0.23, 0.72]

3 Type of intervention Show forest plot

15

833

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.33 [0.11, 0.56]

3.1 Whole therapy

3

240

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.51 [‐0.18, 1.20]

3.2 Mixed training

8

509

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.14 [‐0.03, 0.32]

3.3 Single task training

4

84

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.71 [0.11, 1.30]

Figures and Tables -
Comparison 3. Upper limb function: subgroup analyses
Comparison 4. Lower limb function: post treatment

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Walking distance: change from baseline Show forest plot

9

610

Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

34.80 [18.19, 51.41]

2 Walking speed Show forest plot

12

685

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.39 [‐0.02, 0.79]

3 Functional ambulation Show forest plot

8

525

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.35 [0.04, 0.66]

4 Sit‐to‐stand: post treatment/change from baseline Show forest plot

7

346

Std. Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)

0.35 [0.13, 0.56]

5 Lower limb functional measures Show forest plot

5

419

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.29 [0.10, 0.48]

6 Standing balance/reach Show forest plot

9

504

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.24 [0.07, 0.42]

Figures and Tables -
Comparison 4. Lower limb function: post treatment
Comparison 5. Lower limb function: follow‐up

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 All outcomes Show forest plot

12

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

Subtotals only

1.1 Under 6 months post treatment

8

471

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.34 [0.16, 0.52]

1.2 6 to 12 months post treatment

6

268

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.06 [‐0.18, 0.31]

Figures and Tables -
Comparison 5. Lower limb function: follow‐up
Comparison 6. Lower limb function: subgroup analyses

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Dosage of task practice Show forest plot

24

1144

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.32 [0.12, 0.53]

1.1 0 to 20 hours

16

583

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.39 [0.07, 0.71]

1.2 More than 20 hours

8

561

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.33 [0.16, 0.50]

2 Time since stroke Show forest plot

24

1144

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.32 [0.12, 0.53]

2.1 0 to 15 days

5

288

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.16 [‐0.15, 0.46]

2.2 16 days to 6 months

9

428

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.52 [‐0.03, 1.07]

2.3 More than 6 months

10

428

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.41 [0.21, 0.60]

3 Type of intervention Show forest plot

24

1144

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.32 [0.12, 0.53]

3.1 Whole therapy

2

138

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.10 [‐0.24, 0.43]

3.2 Mixed training

17

894

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.42 [0.17, 0.67]

3.3 Single task training

5

112

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)

0.07 [‐0.42, 0.55]

Figures and Tables -
Comparison 6. Lower limb function: subgroup analyses
Comparison 7. Secondary outcomes

Outcome or subgroup title

No. of studies

No. of participants

Statistical method

Effect size

1 Activities of daily living function Show forest plot

9

527

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.28 [0.10, 0.45]

2 Global motor function scales Show forest plot

5

222

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.38 [0.11, 0.65]

3 Quality of life/health status Show forest plot

4

264

Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)

0.28 [0.04, 0.53]

Figures and Tables -
Comparison 7. Secondary outcomes