Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Adults After Stroke: An Umbrella Review

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Stroke is among the leading causes of disability in adults, as hemiparesis affects motor function and daily activities. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has proven effective in functional recovery through intensive use of the affected limb. This study aimed to assess the impact of CIMT on upper limb (UL) rehabilitation in stroke patients, with a focus on motor recovery, integration into activities of daily living (ADLs), and overcoming clinical implementation barriers. <b>Methods</b>: A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from their inception to March 2026. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the effectiveness of CIMT in adult patients after stroke were included. The outcome variables included motor function, movement quality, independence in ADLs, and quality of life (QoL). <b>Results</b>: Twenty-five systematic reviews and sixteen meta-analyses were included. The participants were adults who had suffered a stroke at acute, subacute, or chronic stages and were aged between 18 and 95 years. With respect to upper limb motor function, ten studies reported statistically significant results in favor of CIMT. With respect to ADLs, four studies reported significant differences in favor of CIMT, with strong effects in intensive interventions. With respect to QoL, three studies reported significant improvements after the intervention. <b>Conclusions</b>: The results of this umbrella review support the effectiveness of CIMT in UL rehabilitation after stroke, especially in the subacute and chronic phases. CIMT, alone or in combination with adjuvant therapies, contributes to improving motor function, independence in ADLs, and QoL in patients.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2026-03-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15062451
Primary Topic
Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Adults After Stroke: An Umbrella Review

Nerea Moreno-Herráiz, Iris Otero-Luis, Alicia Saz-Lara, Iván Cavero-Redondo et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
article

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Adults After Stroke: An Umbrella Review

Nerea Moreno-Herráiz, Iris Otero-Luis, Alicia Saz-Lara, Iván Cavero-Redondo, Ana González-Collado, Candela Calvo-Utrilla, José Conchillo-Liria
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Stroke is among the leading causes of disability in adults, as hemiparesis affects motor function and daily activities. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has proven effective in functional recovery through intensive use of the affected limb. This study aimed to assess the impact of CIMT on upper limb (UL) rehabilitation in stroke patients, with a focus on motor recovery, integration into activities of daily living (ADLs), and overcoming clinical implementation barriers. <b>Methods</b>: A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from their inception to March 2026. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the effectiveness of CIMT in adult patients after stroke were included. The outcome variables included motor function, movement quality, independence in ADLs, and quality of life (QoL). <b>Results</b>: Twenty-five systematic reviews and sixteen meta-analyses were included. The participants were adults who had suffered a stroke at acute, subacute, or chronic stages and were aged between 18 and 95 years. With respect to upper limb motor function, ten studies reported statistically significant results in favor of CIMT. With respect to ADLs, four studies reported significant differences in favor of CIMT, with strong effects in intensive interventions. With respect to QoL, three studies reported significant improvements after the intervention. <b>Conclusions</b>: The results of this umbrella review support the effectiveness of CIMT in UL rehabilitation after stroke, especially in the subacute and chronic phases. CIMT, alone or in combination with adjuvant therapies, contributes to improving motor function, independence in ADLs, and QoL in patients.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(6)
University of Cuenca (EC), University of Castilla-La Mancha (ES)
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.