Chen 2010.

Study characteristics
Methods	Study design: RCT Method of randomisation: not stated
Participants	Number of participants: n = 106 Inclusion criteria: first ever stroke between February 2006 and December 2008, no obvious sign of psychological or memory deficits, fulfilled neurological examination standards and confirmed by CT scan or MRI
Interventions	(1) Test group (n = 53) "Test group used rehabilitation exercise therapy (a) Passive ranging exercises (rehabilitation method during flaccid period): while patient was in supine, therapist provided exercise therapy to each of the patient’s joints according to movable range of each joint (see Table 4), with the following exercise principles: (i) Exercise progressed from proximal joints to distant joints; (ii) Exercise single joints first ‐> gradually progressing to combined movement of several joints; (iii) Exercise upper and lower limbs on non‐affected side first, until patient became used to it, before exercising affected limbs; (iv) Each exercise done slowly 3s – 5s, repeated 5 times – 10 times, at beginning using slow and gentle motion, avoiding overly fast flexing and extending, paying attention to patient’s pain level, avoiding straining. Only if exercise direction was correct, would a safe and effective rehabilitation goal be realised (b) Active ranging exercises (rehabilitation exercise during recovery period): patient independently chose the exercise position and exercise method, with emphasis on hand exercises, assisted by some equipment, we gave appropriate guidance and monitoring, with exercise speed, repetition number and interval being determined by patient’s specific condition. Active ranging exercises had to obey: (i) Active ranging exercises performed on the foundation of passive ranging exercises, in order not to induce tiredness and pain; (ii) Among the exercises, more practice done for relaxation of tensed muscles; (iii) First simple movements, then complicated movements; (iv) During practice, same actions done for non‐affected limbs, to aid in recovery of function of paralysed limbs. During the process of active ranging exercise, coordination practice must be emphasised, to gradually improve level of coordination through a long period of training. From individual joints, and uni‐directional simple exercises to complex coordinated movements, movement complexity and precision [were] gradually increased; starting from exercises symmetrical to both sides of body; during gait training, initial requirement was for gait to be stable, accurate and natural, and afterwards practised walking forwards in a straight line and crossing obstacles etc. Repeated practice of a single movement, in order to develop the biological foundation of a habit, and form a new neural pathway" The individual components delivered are listed in Table 6. Based on the individual components, this intervention is categorised as comprising functional task training, musculoskeletal intervention (active) and musculoskeletal intervention (passive) Length of intervention period: four weeks Number of sessions and length of individual sessions: not stated Intervention provider: not stated (2) Control group (n = 53) Used Traditional Chinese Tui Na The individual components delivered are listed in Table 6. Based on the individual components, this intervention is categorised as comprising massage Length of intervention period: four weeks Number of sessions and length of individual sessions: not stated Intervention provider: Traditional Chinese Tui Na practitioner This study is classified as intervention (functional task training, musculoskeletal (active), musculoskeletal (passive)) versus attention control (massage) (Table 8)
Outcomes	Measures of independence in ADL: Barthel Index Measure of motor function: Fugl‐Meyer Assessment (FMA) Measures of tone/spasticity: "Modified Ashworth Spasticity Rating Scale" Time points when outcomes were assessed: before intervention and after four weeks of intervention
Notes	Both groups were given the same conventional medicine to reduce intracranial pressure, nourish nerves, prevent and cure symptoms, maintain electrolyte balance and provide symptomatic and supportive treatment; on admission, while lying on non‐affected side and supine, all used orthopaedic devices on affected side. Four weeks equals one treatment cycle Original study translated from Chinese to English Mean and SD computed from categorical data
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	No information provided
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	No information provided
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	No information provided
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	No dropouts reported
Free of systematic differences in baseline characteristics of groups compared?	Low risk	No significant baseline differences
Did authors adjust for baseline differences in their analyses?	Low risk	No information provided
Other bias	Unclear risk	No information provided