The standardized effect size (SES) for each study was established by computing the
difference between mean change scores of the experimental and control groups divided by
the pooled population SD.34 Since there was a tendency for the SES to overestimate the
pooled effect size in studies with a small sample size, a correction was implemented to
obtain the unbiased SES.34 The 95% confidence interval (CI) for the SES was also
computed. The SESs and 95%CIs were calculated using a custom spreadsheet (Microsoft
Excel for Windows XP). Additionally, since many of the selected studies measured walking performance and ambulation is a key priority in stroke rehabilitation, the same quantitative analysis was also performed for walking velocity and walking endurance.