Effect of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Chronic Hemiplegic Patients

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIT) for chronic hemiplegic patients and to investigate the factors that influence on the effectiveness of CIT. METHOD: Forty two chronic stroke patients were enrolled and classified into two groups, experimental and control group. The experimental group took CIT for 2 weeks. CIT consisted of restraint of the unaffected upper extremity with massive training of the affected upper extremity. The motor function of patient's upper extremity was assessed by Manual Function Test (MFT) and Jebsen Hand Function Test before treatment, at 2 weeks and at 8 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: The withdrawal rate was 46.7% during CIT period. There was substantial significant improvements in MFT and Jebsen Hand Function Test after 2 weeks of treatment in the experimental group (p<0.05). The effects in the experimental group were maintained at 6 weeks after cessation of the treatment. CONCLUSION: CIT is considered to be an effective treatment for motor function of the chronic hemiplegic upper extremity motor function, and will be useful as an additional thera peutic tool.