Impact of Occupational Therapy on Upper Limb Function and Rehabilitation Results Following Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - Takeaways - MDSpire

Impact of Occupational Therapy on Upper Limb Function and Rehabilitation Results Following Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  • By

  • Jie Bai

  • Tianyun Liu

  • Xuelian Du

  • Wenrui Huang

  • April 23, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Occupational therapy significantly improves upper limb function, daily living ability, and reduces depressive symptoms in stroke patients.

  • 2

    The systematic review included 22 RCTs with 2,833 stroke patients, providing a comprehensive evaluation of OT's effects.

  • 3

    Meta-analysis results showed OT had a standardized mean difference of 1.42 for upper limb function and 1.17 for activities of daily living.

  • 4

    Greater improvements in outcomes were observed with longer OT durations, particularly those exceeding 8 weeks.

  • 5

    The findings support the integration of occupational therapy into post-stroke rehabilitation to enhance recovery outcomes.

Original Source(s)

Impact of Occupational Therapy on Upper Limb Function and Rehabilitation Results Following Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  • by Jie Bai, Tianyun Liu, Xuelian Du, Wenrui Huang

  • April 23, 2026

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