Cognitive and Motor Therapy After Stroke Is Not Superior to Motor and Cognitive Therapy Alone to Improve Cognitive and Motor Outcomes: New Insights From a Meta-analysis

Objective: To evaluate whether cognitive and motor therapy (CMT) is more effective than no therapy, motor therapy, or cognitive therapy on motor and/or cognitive outcomes after stroke. Additionally, this study evaluates whether effects are lasting and which CMT approach is most effective. Data Sources: AMED, EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, and PsycINFO databases were searched in October 2022. Study Selection: Twenty-six studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals since 2010 that investigated adults with stroke, delivered CMT, and included at least 1 motor, cognitive, or cognitive-motor outcome. Two CMT approaches exist: CMT dual-task (“classical” dual-task where the secondary cognitive task has a distinct goal) and CMT integrated (where cognitive components of the task are integrated into the motor task). Data Extraction: Data on study design, participant characteristics, interventions, outcome measures (cognitive/motor/cognitive-motor), results and statistical analysis were extracted. Multilevel random effects meta-analysis was conducted. Data Synthesis: CMT demonstrated positive effects compared with no therapy on motor outcomes (g=0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10, 0.88) and cognitive-motor outcomes (g=0.29; 95% CI, 0.03, 0.54). CMT showed no significant effects compared with motor therapy on motor, cognitive, and cognitive-motor outcomes. A small positive effect of CMT compared with cognitive therapy on cognitive outcomes (g=0.18; 95% CI, 0.01, 0.36) was found. CMT demonstrated no follow-up effect compared with motor therapy (g=0.07; 95% CI, −0.04, 0.18). Comparison of CMT dual-task and integrated revealed no significant difference for motor (F_1,141=0.80; P=.371) or cognitive outcomes (F_1,72=0.61, P=.439). Conclusions: CMT was not superior to monotherapies in improved outcomes after stroke. CMT approaches were equally effective, suggesting that training that enlists a cognitive load per se may benefit outcomes.