Influence of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) on Acute Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: Upper Extremity Function Recovery and Inclusion in Activities
Abstract
Background. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is widely used in post-stroke rehabilitation and has a positive effect on motor and functional recovery of the affected hand. However, there are insufficient data on the effectiveness of the CIMT method in early post-stroke rehabilitation. Identification of the most effective methods in different periods of recovery after stroke would allow the prioritisation of rehabilitation treatment and create opportunities to achieve the best results.
Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of the CIMT method on motor recovery, functional capacity, and involvement in activities of the affected hand during early post-stroke rehabilitation (four weeks after stroke).
Methods. The study included 18 patients participating in an inpatient post-stroke rehabilitation programme, who were randomly divided into two groups: Group I – the CIMT method was applied in addition to conventional rehabilitation five times per week for 14 days; Group II (control group) – the conventional rehabilitation programme was applied. Assessment instruments included the Wolf Test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), dynamometry, Nine-Hole Test (9ST), FNT, ADL / IADL tests and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
Results. During the two-week rehabilitation programme, application of the CIMT method resulted in a statistically significantly higher motor and functional improvement and more active involvement of the affected upper extremity (UE) in daily activities (p < 0.05), compared with conventional rehabilitation.
Conclusions. Even during a short two-week period of the early post-stroke rehabilitation, CIMT provides strong evidence of effectiveness in improving upper limb motor, functional recovery, and increasing involvement in activities.
Keywords: Upper extremity function; performance of activities; involvement in activities; movement restriction therapy
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