| Ada et al.23
|
To evaluate the effectiveness of a treadmill and overground walking program in reducing the disability and handicap associated with poor walking performance after stroke. |
Disability. 10-Meter Walk Test |
27 (13 experimental, 14 control) |
Experimental: 30–45 minutes walk. 1st week: 80% time on the treadmill, 20% overground on different surfaces. Control: stretching, strengthening, balance and coordination). |
Community |
| (10MWT - Walking speed) |
Mean age: 66 |
| Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT - Walking capacity) |
7-72 months post-stroke |
| Andersen et al.24
|
To evaluate two models of follow-up intervention after discharge |
Disability. IEADL |
155 (54 Group 1, 52 Group 2, 48 control) |
Group 1: medications, reference to other services, liaison between the patient and stroke services, and counseling. Group 2: instructions and reeducation on mobility and ADL.Control: outpatient rehabilitation on ordination by a hospital physician |
Groups 1 and 2: Home visit |
| Min-max age: 56-85 years |
| Acute stroke |
| Askim et al.25
|
To evaluate the effect of a 4-week community-based intensive motor training (IMT) program combined with early supported discharge after initial treatment in a comprehensive stroke unit on balance and other functional outcome measures. |
Disability. Barthel Index (BI) |
62 (30 IMT, 32 control) |
IMT: 3 additional sessions of motor training for functional tasks, 30-50 minutes each. Control: Conventional treatment by the comprehensive stroke unit. |
IMT: Provided by physical therapists in the primary health care system (also administered in the patients’ home, at a rehabilitation clinic, or at an outpatient clinic). Control: Administered as inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation, or as rehabilitation in the patients’ home |
| Min-max age: 67-87 |
| Time after stroke 4-14 days |
| Cabanas-Valdés et al.26
|
To evaluate the effectiveness of core stability exercises (CSE) in subacute stroke (<1 month) in addition to conventional physical therapy (CP). |
Disability. RS 2005 |
87 (45 control, 42 CSE) |
Control: 30 minutes of conventional physical therapy (mobilization, stretching, strengthening, balance, and gait). CSE: Core stability exercises, 30 minutes each. |
Hospital |
| Min-max age: 54-84 |
| Time after stroke: <1 month |
| Chaiyawat et al.27
|
To develop and examine the effectiveness of individual 6-month home rehabilitation program in ischemic stroke patients upon disability and quality of life (QoL) at two years |
Disability. RS 2005 |
60 (30 experimental, 30 control) |
Experimental: 60 minutes of supervised exercises and counseling, supported by videos that included mobilization, resistance, and ADL. Control: Instruction to seek rehabilitation services after discharge. |
Experimental: Place of residence Control: Other services |
| Min-max age: 55-77 |
| Time after stroke: about three days |
| Chaiyawat et al.28
|
To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a home rehabilitation program for patients with middle cerebral artery infarction. |
Disability. Barthel Index (BI) |
60 (30 control, 30 intervention) |
Experimental: 60 minutes of supervised exercises and counseling, supported by videos that included mobilization, resistance, and ADL. Control: received instructions for home rehabilitation. |
Experimental: Place of residence Control: Other services |
| Min-max age: 55-77 |
| Time after stroke: about three days |
| Chen et al.29
|
To compare the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), noxious thermal stimulation (NTS), and the hybrid of NMES and NTS (“Hybrid”) on motor recovery of upper extremity for patients with stroke. |
Disability. Barthel Index (BI) |
43 (13 NMES, 13 NTS, 17 Hybrid) |
NMES: 30 min of NMES in 2 sessions. NTS: 30 min of NTS in 2 sessions. Hybrid: 15 min of NTS and 15 min of NMES. All groups were also subjected to traditional rehabilitation. |
Outpatient clinic of the Rehabilitation Department |
| Min-max age: 39-73 |
| Time after stroke: >6 months |
| Ertekin et al.30
|
To compare the outcomes of a supervised physical therapy program versus home-based physical therapy in individuals with unilateral visual neglect post-stroke. |
Disability. Barthel Index (BI) |
20 (10 supervised at a rehabilitation clinic. 10 at home) |
45-60 minutes of warm-up, strengthening, and stretching. Supervised: 3 times/week. Performed in front of a mirror, with feedback provided. At home: Encouragement by phone 1 time/week. |
Supervised: Rehabilitation clinic |
| Min-max age: 48-82 |
| Time after stroke 3-24 months |
| Feys et al.31
|
To evaluate the effect of additional sensorimotor stimulation on motor and functional recovery of the hemiplegic arm in post-stroke individuals. |
Disability. Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) 1981 (upper limb function) |
100 (50 control, 50 experimental) |
Experimental: 30 minutes of stimulation in hemiplegic arm movements. Additional to standard rehabilitation. Control: same procedures, no stimulation. |
Hospital |
| Barthel Index (BI) and ADL |
Min-max age: 36-88 |
| Time after stroke 14-35 days |
| Hanger et al.32
|
To determine whether strapping the shoulder in hemiplegic stroke patients: (1) prevents the development, or reduces the severity of shoulder pain. (2) preserves range of movement in the shoulder, and (3) improves the functional outcomes for the arm and patient overall outcomes |
Disability. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) |
98 (49 control, 49 strapped) |
Experimental: Bandaging of the affected shoulder for 6 weeks, or until active movements are possible, or until discharge. Reapplication every 2-3 days. Control: follow-up without bandaging. |
Hospital ward. |
| Rankin scale (RS) 1957 |
Min-max age: 70-87. |
| Acute stroke |
| Hopwood et al.33
|
Investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in stroke recovery compared to placebo. |
Disability. Barthel Index (BI) |
105 (57 acupuncture, 48 sham) |
Acupuncture: 30 minutes. Started in the hospital and continued at home if necessary. Control: sham/placebo. |
Hospital. At home (if discharged within 4 weeks) |
| Min-max age: 42-93 |
| Time after stroke 4-10 days |
| Jonsdottir et al.34
|
To investigate the effect of continuous functional electrical stimulation control (CFES) combined with task-oriented therapy (TOT) to assist arm movements, induce recovery of body functions, and address disability. |
Disability. Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) 2002 |
82 (38 M-TOT, 44 C-TOT) |
M-TOT: Active upper limb movements oriented toward tasks and associated with the use of MeCFES. C-TOT: Active upper limb movements oriented toward tasks. |
Rehabilitation center |
| Min-max age: 36-88 |
| Time after stroke: >1 months |
| Langhammer et al.35
|
To evaluate the impact of two physical therapy regimens on self-reported quality of life (QoL) in acute stroke and investigate their impact on QoL. |
Functioning: Barthel Index (BI) |
75 (35 intensive, 40 regular) |
Intensive: Approximately 80 hours of physical therapy focused on endurance, strength, and balance. Standard: physical therapy if needed. |
Home, private physical therapy, or hospital ward treatment. |
| Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) |
Min-max age: 70-76 |
| Berg Balance Scale (BBS) |
Acute-chronic phase |
| Langhammer et al.36
|
Investigate how motor function, balance, mobility, walking capacity, and activity patterns differ between two groups with varying functional capacities. |
Functioning: Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) |
75 (37 MAS<35, 38 MAS>35) |
Intensive: physical therapy 2-3 times per week, focusing on endurance, strength, and balance over four periods during the first year post-stroke. Total: about 80 hours. Standard: physical therapy if needed. |
Home, private physical therapy, or hospital ward treatment. |
| Berg Balance Scale (BBS) |
Min-max age: 57-90 |
| Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) |
Acute-chronic phase |
| Barthel Index (BI) and ADL |
| Marándola et al.37
|
To evaluate whether modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) is more beneficial than conventional therapy for hemispatial neglect, as well as its effects on autonomy and disability. |
Disability. |
30 (15 mCIMT, 15 control) |
60min. mCIMT: for upper and lower limbs. Control: Upper and lower limb exercises. |
Home visit |
| Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 1988 |
Min-max age: 53-86 |
| Time after stroke: <30 days |
| Morone et al.38
|
To investigate the effectiveness of balance training using video games on functional balance and disability in individuals with hemiparesis after stroke. |
Disability. |
50 (25 Wii Group, 25 control) |
12 sessions of 20 minutes, 3 times per week. Wii Group: Balance, coordination, and endurance training using Wii Fit video games. Control: Balance training |
Hospital rehabilitation unit |
| Barthel Index (BI) |
Min-max age: 36-76 |
| Time after stroke: <3 months |
| Morreale et al.39
|
Compare Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) techniques with Cognitive Therapeutic Exercise (CTE) at two different times after stroke. |
Disability. |
340 (110 early PNF, 110 early CTE, 60 late PNF, 60 late CTE) |
Early PNF and CTE (24 hours post-stroke): 1-2 hours of daily mobilization with PNF or CTE. Late PNF and CTE (72 hours post-stroke): Posture and positioning in bed during the first 72 hours. Afterward, they followed early PNF or CTE intervention. |
Hospital, Intensive Rehabilitation Unit |
| Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 1988 |
Min-max age: 48-78 |
| Barthel Index (BI) |
Time after stroke 6-24 hours |
| Nilsson et al.40
|
To compare the impact between treadmill walking training with weight support and floor training in the early rehabilitation stage of patients with hemiparesis post-stroke. |
Disability. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) |
73 (36 experimental, 37 control) |
Experimental: 30 minutes of treadmill walking with weight support. Control: 30 minutes of overground walking. |
Rehabilitation Department of the University Hospital |
| Min-max age: 24-67 |
| Time after stroke: <8 weeks |
| Pandian et al.41
|
Explore the effectiveness of Mirror Therapy (MT) in treating unilateral neglect in stroke patients. |
Disability. |
48 (27 MT, 21 control) |
MT: 1-2 hours, exercises with affected upper limb. Control: TM-like exercises, without a mirror. |
Conducted in the hospital or at home (if >4 weeks) |
| Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 1988 |
Min-max age: 52-76 |
| Time after stroke: >48 |
| Sritipsukho et al.42
|
To compare the costs and effects between a home rehabilitation program and conventional hospital care for patients with ischemic stroke in a healthcare service in Thailand. |
Disability. |
60 (30 experimental, 30 control) |
Experimental: 1 visit of 1 hour per month for 3 months, exercise in exercise physiology, and motor learning with the help of DVD video recordings. Control: conventional hospital care and rehabilitation prescribed by a physician. |
Home visit |
| RS 2005 |
Min-max age: 55-77 |
| Barthel Index (BI) |
Time after stroke: >3 days - 3 months |
| Tollár et al.43
|
To compare the impacts of high-intensity and frequent exergaming mobility rehabilitation on symptoms of blood pressure, mobility, and stroke. |
Disability. |
580 (290 Exergaming 2×, 290 Exergaming 1×, 100 control) |
Exergaming: 1 hour, of which 25 minutes were spent on exergaming. Group 1: 1 time/day. Group 2: 2 times/day. Control: standard care with low intensity. |
Groups 1 and 2: Physical therapy gym in the hospital outpatient clinic. |
| Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 1988 |
Min-max age: 58-70 |
| Time after stroke 2-4 weeks |
| Volpe et al.44
|
To determine, in patients with upper limb disability post-stroke, whether robotic movement therapy or therapist-delivered therapy using an intensive training protocol is superior. |
Disability. Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) |
21 (11 experimental, 10 control) |
1 hour. Control: adapted exercises using Bobath. Experimental: robot-assisted exercises. |
Outpatient clinic |
| Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) 1981 |
Min-max age: 57-65 |
| Time after stroke: >6 months |
| Wall et al.22
|
Compare self-perceived functioning, disability, and recovery after Electromechanical-Assisted Gait Training (EAGT) and conventional training. |
Self-perceived functioning and disability: |
28 (15 EAGT, 13 control) |
EAGT: conventional physical therapy using the assistive device. Control: conventional program. |
Rehabilitation Department of the University Hospital |
| Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) |
Min-max age: 48-64 |
| Subacute phase |
| Wright et al.45
|
Evaluate the effect of home-based robot-assisted gait training (O-RAGT) using the AlterG Bionic Leg orthosis on functional clinical outcomes in individuals with chronic stroke. |
Disability. |
34 (16 O-RAGT, 18 control) |
O-RAGT: robot-assisted gait training, as well as conventional physical therapy. Control: conventional physical therapy (stretching, strengthening, and activity training). |
Conducted at home or in a stroke outpatient clinic. |
| RS 2005 |
Min-max age: 49-79 |
| Time after stroke: >3 months - 5 years |
| Young et al.46
|
To compare outpatient hospital care and home physical therapy for stroke patients discharged from the hospital to determine which service shows greater functional and social improvement. |
Disability. |
124 (61 control, 63 experimental) |
Experimental: home physical therapy at 15 visits. Control: physical therapy in the outpatient hospital. |
Home visit |
| Barthel Index (BI) |
Min-max age: 60-89 |
| Intervals: <4 weeks / 4-7 weeks / 8-11 weeks / >12 weeks |