Shortened constraint-induced movement therapy in subacute stroke – No effect of using a restraint: A randomized controlled study with independent observers

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation medicine Vol. 41; no. 4; pp. 231 - 236
• Main Authors: Brogårdh, C, Vestling, M, Sjölund, BH
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sweden 01.03.2009
• Subjects: Aged; Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap; Assessment; constraint-induced therapy; Deviation; Exercise Movement Techniques; Female; Hand Strength - physiology; Humans; Male; Medical and Health Sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Middle Aged; Motor activity; Movement therapy; Muscle Strength - physiology; Observer Variation; Other Medical and Health Sciences; Other Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere specified; rehabilitation; restraint; Restraint, Physical - methods; Restraints; stroke; Stroke - physiopathology; Stroke Rehabilitation; Strokes; Treatment Outcome; Upper Extremity - physiopathology; Övrig annan medicin och hälsovetenskap
• ISSN: 1650-1977; 1651-2081; 1651-2081
• DOI: 10.2340/16501977-0312

To examine the effect of using a mitt during shortened constraint-induced movement therapy for patients in the subacute phase after stroke. Twenty-four patients with stroke (mean age 57.6 (standard deviation (SD) 8.5) years; average 7 weeks post-stroke) with mild to moderate impaired hand function. The patients were randomized to mitt use or no mitt use on the less affected hand for 90% of waking hours for 12 days. All patients received 3 h of arm and hand training per day for 2 weeks. Assessments were made by blinded observers using the modified Motor Assessment Scale, the Sollerman hand function test, the 2-Point Discrimination test and Motor Activity Log test. Patients in both groups showed significant improvements in arm and hand motor performance and on self-reported motor ability after 2 weeks of therapy and at 3 months follow-up. However, no statistically significant differences between the groups were found in any measures at any point in time. In this study, no effect of using a restraint in patients with subacute stroke was found. Thus, this component in the constraint-induced therapy concept seems to be of minor importance for the outcome.