CONSTRAINT-INDUCED APHASIA THERAPY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN POST-STROKE PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Background:Aphasia is a common stroke complication that significantly impacts patients' quality of life (QoL). While Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT) has been found to improve language capacity, its impact on QoL remains uncertain. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to meta-analyze and systematically review the impact of CIAT on post-stroke aphasic patients' quality of life. Methods: A thorough search of five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, Scilit, and Cochrane Library) was conducted for 2009-2024 literature. Studies included experimental studies with assessments of CIAT's effect on QoL using valid instruments. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 and JBI tools. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4 and studies that utilized the SAQOL-39 scale. Results: Six trials were included based on inclusion criteria; three trials were subjected to the meta-analysis. CIAT had significant trends favorable for improved QoL, especially in areas of communication, although the combined effect was not significant statistically (MD = 0.11; 95% CI: –0.14 to 0.35; p = 0.40). There was low heterogeneity (I² = 0%). Conclusion: CIAT may enhance QoL in aphasia patients, particularly in communicative functioning. While lacking high statistical significance, outcomes are in favor of CIAT's role in neurorehabilitation. Additional high-quality trials would be needed to ensure these results.