The effects of modified constraint-induced movement therapy and mirror therapy on upper extremity function and its influence on activities of daily living.

Only 28 acute stroke inpatients were included, and the paper does not report dropouts, so the study is small. Participants had to follow commands, grip objects, and have some wrist and finger extension, so results may not apply to people with more severe arm impairment or chronic stroke. Allocation was described only as pseudo-random, and the paper does not report blinding of participants, therapists, or assessors. Both groups received the same ADL training and self-exercise, so any effect of mirror therapy or mCIMT alone cannot be separated from the other components. The eating and dressing findings are within-group correlations and regression associations, not evidence that mCIMT or manipulation caused ADL improvement. The paper does not define a single primary outcome, and the between-group comparison was null.

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Do not conclude that mCIMT improves ADLs better than mirror therapy. The paper found no significant between-group difference in upper extremity function or ADL independence, and both groups also received ADL training and self-exercise, so the effect of either named therapy cannot be isolated. The mCIMT arm-gain association is within-group, not proof of causation.