Effectiveness of mirror and robot-assisted therapy for upper extremity rehabilitation in post-stroke patients: a meta-analysis.

Most included trials were conducted in China, which may limit applicability to other healthcare systems and cultural contexts. Blinding of participants and therapists was impossible in all trials, introducing potential performance bias. There was substantial heterogeneity in the types of robots and protocols used, making it difficult to recommend specific devices or methods. The studies only reported short-term effects (up to six weeks), so the long-term sustainability of the gains is unknown. Several subgroup analyses, such as those comparing different control interventions, were based on very few studies.

The study was funded by the Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau. No other conflicts of interest were declared.

Do not assume the subgroup findings that older adults benefit more or that shorter interventions are better are definitive. The meta-regression showed these factors were not significant moderators, and the authors state these conclusions are preliminary and require further investigation.