Clinical Rehabilitation 2001 15: 20
Exercise therapy for arm function in stroke patients: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Johanna H van der Lee, Ingrid AK Snels, Heleen Beckerman, Gustaaf J Lankhorst, Robert C Wagenaar and Lex M Bouter
An 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.
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