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Modified Constraint-Induced Therapy May Improve Arm Function After Stroke: Presented at NASM

By Lynn Haley
Special to DG News

SAN DIEGO, CA -- August 17, 2001 -- Modified constraint-induced therapy may be effective in improving arm function and use in patients exhibiting learned non-use of the affected limb as a result of subacute stroke.

These study results were presented by researchers at the University of New York at the 2001 North American Stroke Meeting held here August 15th-18th.

Researchers say that while constraint-induced therapy (CIT) is efficacious, it is often difficult to implement. Having patients adhere to the regimen poses a problem for many rehabilitation therapists.

In ordered to determine the efficacy of CIT, investigators looked at four subacute stroke patients who received modified CIT (mCIT), five patients who received traditional rehabilitation (TR), and five who received no therapy whatsoever (CON). Prior to intervention, the Fugl-Meyer Motor Recovery Assessment, and the Action Research Arm Test were administered twice. The Motor Activity Log was administered once.

Five times a week, the mCIT patients took part in half-hour structured therapy sessions with their less affected limbs restrained during five-hour times of frequent use. Those in the TR group were administered therapy in identical contact parameters as the mCIT group. All testing was repeated after intervention by a blinded rater.

Results showed that prior to intervention, all scores remained stable. After intervention, nominal changes were evident in TR and CON patients. In mCIT patients, the Fugl-Meyer and Action Research Arm Test improved by +11.4 and 11.5 points respectively. Improvement was also noted in the amount and quality of arm use in these patients when measured by the Motor Activity Log (+2.49 and +0.47 respectively).

Researchers concluded mCIT can be an efficacious and effective method of treatment in improving the arm function and use in subacute stroke patients, particularly for those who have exhibited learned non-use of the affected arm.

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