Choice reaction time can be influenced by intervention protocols after stroke: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Post-stroke individuals usually present a delay in choice reaction time (CRT), and it would be important to verify the efficacy in the reduction of CRT after intervention protocols. OBJECTIVE: The main question of this review is 'What are the characteristics of the CRT test and the interventions that decrease the CRT?' STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: The search was performed in March 2019 using the electronic databases, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, Cinahal, Cochrane, Ovid, Scielo, PEDro, and Embase. There was no restriction regarding publication dates, and studies written in English that were conducted on poststroke patients and presented CRT results were included. RESULTS: Six studies were included in this systematic review, and the majority showed varied objectives, methodologies, and groups, regarding the number and characteristics of the sample, varying from complex to simple tasks for the CRT evaluation. CONCLUSION: This review suggests the investigation of the CRT in stroke patients with functional tasks using auditory and/or visual stimulus. About the CRT training in stroke patients, this review also suggests bilateral training, including functional tasks, and the use of structural practice blocks, but more studies are needed to better demonstrate the effects of interventions on the CRT. REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO (protocol no. CRD42017073995).