A systematic review of upper extremity outcome measures assessed in randomized controlled trials of post stroke upper extremity rehabilitation over time.

Background: The heterogeneity in outcome measures of post stroke rehabilitation trials suggests the need for consensus approach in stroke recovery measurement. To reach this aim, it is important to understand the past and current use of outcome measures in randomized control trials (RCTs) of stroke rehabilitation.

Objective: To systematically review RCTs of post stroke UE rehabilitation interventions to understand the use of UE outcome measures in research and their changes over time.

Predictors of Spasticity 3-6 Mos After Stroke: A 5-Yr Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim of the study is to identify predictors of poststroke spasticity (modified Ashworth Scale scores, ≥1) at 3-6 mos after stroke.

Design: A 5-yr (2015-2020) retrospective cohort of patients who attended inpatient stroke rehabilitation in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, were included. Sociodemographic, clinical, stroke-related, rehabilitation-related, and outcome measure data were extracted from paper charts and electronic databases.

Female Enrollment in Rehabilitation Trials: A Systematic Review of Reporting Sex and Female Participation in Randomized Controlled Trials of Poststroke Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Over 50 Years.

Objective: To systematically assess the reporting of sex and the percentage of female participants in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining interventions for the post-stroke rehabilitation of upper extremity (UE) motor disorders.

Data Sources: CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from 1960 to April 1, 2021. Additional articles were identified using the Evidence-Based Review of Stroke Rehabilitation.

A systematic review examining the effect of vitamin D supplementation on functional outcomes post-stroke.

Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to explore the effect of vitamin D supplementation on functional outcomes (motor function, mobility, activities of daily living and stroke impairment) among individuals post-stroke (PROSPERO CRD42022296462).

Data Sources: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched for all articles published up to March 5, 2023.

Methods: Only interventional studies assessing vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo or usual care in adult stroke patients were selected.

A national survey of evidence-based stroke rehabilitation intervention use in clinical practice among Canadian occupational therapists.

Background: More than 1,000 randomized controlled trials have been published examining the effectiveness of stroke rehabilitation interventions.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the use and non-use of evidence-based stroke rehabilitation interventions in clinical practice among Occupational Therapists across various stroke rehabilitation settings in Canada.

Methods: Participants were recruited from medical centres providing rehabilitation to stroke patients in each of the ten provinces across Canada (January-July 2021).

Network Meta-Analysis of Non-Conventional Therapies for Improving Upper Limb Motor Impairment Poststroke.

Background: Network meta-analysis is a method that can estimate relative efficacy between treatments that may not have been compared directly within the literature. The purpose of this study is to present a network meta-analysis of non-conventional interventions to improve upper extremity motor impairment after stroke.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in 5 databases from their inception until April 1, 2021.

Developing a framework for utilizing adjunct rehabilitation therapies in motor recovery of upper extremity post stroke.

Introduction: Standardization of first principles has transformed stroke rehabilitation in developed countries and helped guide the appropriate allocation of resources to ensure better outcomes for patients. There have been challenges in incorporating new evidence into stroke rehabilitation practices. The sheer number of RCTs can be daunting to the average clinician, made worse by the lack of a framework for their application.

A systematic review of randomized controlled trial characteristics for interventions to improve upper extremity motor recovery post stroke.

Introduction: Given the prevalence of motor deficits post-stroke, a large proportion of stroke rehabilitation interventions are directed toward motor recovery.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to present a detailed investigation of the methodological characteristics in the stroke rehabilitation literature with respect to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed to facilitate upper extremity motor recovery.

Methods: This review was conducted following guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

Differences in stroke rehabilitation motor and cognitive randomized controlled trials by world region: Number, sample size, and methodological quality.

Background: Stroke rehabilitation research is important for informing clinical practice and directing health care resources.

Objective: To examine how motor- and cognitive-based stroke rehabilitation randomized controlled trials (RCTs) vary by world region, overall and over time, with respect to 1) publication volume, 2) sample size, and 3) methodological quality.

Methods: Using the Evidence-Based Review of Stroke Rehabilitation (EBRSR), all motor- and cognitive-based stroke rehabilitation RCTs were identified.