Cacchio 2009a

Methods	RCT
Participants	Country: Italy Sample size: 48 participants (24 in each group; 6 dropped out post‐treatment, 3 more dropped out after 6 months) Inclusion criteria: hemiparesis after first ever ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke; during first 6 months post‐stroke; diagnosed with CRPS‐type 1 with a VAS pain score > 4 cm Exclusion criteria: an intra‐articular injection into the affected shoulder during the previous 6 months or use of systemic corticosteroids during the previous 4 months; presence of another explanation of pain; prior surgery to shoulder or neck; serious uncontrolled medical conditions; global aphasia or cognitive impairments; visual impairments which might interfere with the aims of the study; evidence of recent alcohol or drug abuse; or severe depression
Interventions	2 arms: 4‐week conventional stroke rehabilitation programme and additional mirror therapy: participants performed upper extremity movements while looking in the mirror, without additional verbal feedback sham therapy: patients performed the same treatment protocol as in group 1 but with covering the reflecting side of the mirror 1 and 2: 5 days a week, 30 minutes of therapy for the first 2 weeks; and 5 days a week, 60 minutes of therapy for the last 2 weeks
Outcomes	Outcomes were recorded at baseline, 1 week after the intervention period and after 6 months WMFT/FA; 0 to 5, lower scores indicating better functioning WMFT/PT; in seconds QOM item in the MAL (0 to 5) Pain at rest (VAS 0 to 10) Pain on movement (VAS 0 to 10) Pain tactile allodynia (VAS 0 to 10)
Notes	Published and unpublished data
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Patients were randomly allocated (authors' statement)
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not stated
ITT analysis	Low risk	Results were analysed on an ITT basis
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) primary outcome	Low risk	Assessors were blinded to group allocation