TY - JOUR
T1 - Exercise therapy for arm function in stroke patients: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
T2 - A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
AU - van der Lee, J.H.
AU - Snels, I.A.K.
AU - Beckerman, H.
AU - Lankhorst, G.J.
AU - Wagenaar, R.C.
AU - Bouter, L.M.
PY - 2001/1/1
Y1 - 2001/1/1
N2 - Objective. Assessment of the available evidence for the effectiveness of exercise therapy to improve arm function in patients who have suffered from a stroke. Methods. A systematic search of bibliographical databases and reference checking were performed to identify publications on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the effect of exercise therapy on arm function in stroke patients. The methodological quality was assessed systematically by two raters, based on a standardized list of methodological criteria. Study characteristics, such as the chronicity and severity of impairment of the patient population, the amount and duration of interventions, and specific methodological criteria, were related to reported effects. Results. Thirteen RCTs were identified, six of which reported positive results on an arm function test. In five of these six studies there was a contrast in amount or duration of exercise therapy between groups. Methodological scores ranged from 5 to 15 (maximum possible score: 19 points). Conclusion. Insufficient evidence made it impossible to draw definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of exercise therapy on arm function in stroke patients. The difference in results between studies with and without contrast in the amount or duration of exercise therapy between groups suggests that more exercise therapy may be beneficial.
AB - Objective. Assessment of the available evidence for the effectiveness of exercise therapy to improve arm function in patients who have suffered from a stroke. Methods. A systematic search of bibliographical databases and reference checking were performed to identify publications on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the effect of exercise therapy on arm function in stroke patients. The methodological quality was assessed systematically by two raters, based on a standardized list of methodological criteria. Study characteristics, such as the chronicity and severity of impairment of the patient population, the amount and duration of interventions, and specific methodological criteria, were related to reported effects. Results. Thirteen RCTs were identified, six of which reported positive results on an arm function test. In five of these six studies there was a contrast in amount or duration of exercise therapy between groups. Methodological scores ranged from 5 to 15 (maximum possible score: 19 points). Conclusion. Insufficient evidence made it impossible to draw definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of exercise therapy on arm function in stroke patients. The difference in results between studies with and without contrast in the amount or duration of exercise therapy between groups suggests that more exercise therapy may be beneficial.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0035129146&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1191/026921501677557755
DO - https://doi.org/10.1191/026921501677557755
M3 - Article
C2 - 11237158
SN - 0269-2155
VL - 15
SP - 20
EP - 31
JO - Clinical rehabilitation
JF - Clinical rehabilitation
IS - 1
ER -