Physical rehabilitation approaches for the recovery of function and mobility following stroke. A major update.

Objectives We aimed to determine whether physical rehabilitation approaches are effective in recovery of function and mobility in people with stroke, and to assess whether any one physical rehabilitation approach is more effective than any other approach. Methods A stakeholder group, comprising stroke survivors, caregivers, and physiotherapists, made decisions using consensus-making techniques relating to the scope and focus of this updated review.1 We performed a comprehensive search (to December 2012),1 including randomized controlled trials of physical rehabilitation approaches in adult stroke survivors. Interventions comprised a range of philosophically different approaches to promote recovery of function or mobility. Randomized controlled trials of single specific treatments were excluded. Outcomes analyzed were independence in activities of daily living, motor function, balance, gait, and length of stay. Two reviewers independently applied selection criteria, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. We calculated standardized mean differences (SMD) using a random effects model.