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. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and PEDro trial registers were searched for clinical trials published before November 2012. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials of constraint-induced movement therapy lasting 2 to 7 h/day for 8 to 28 days were included. DATA EXTRACTION: 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. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 3,842 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 to 0.44). Meanwhile, a moderate effect on arm motor activity was found post-treatment (SMD 0.51, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.73) and at 3 to 6 months follow-up (SMD 0.41, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.74). CONCLUSION: Constraint-induced movement therapy can improve arm motor function and improve arm motor activities and may have a lasting effect on arm motor activity.

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