Efficacy of Constraint-Induced Movement on Improving Upper Functional Ability Motor Skills among Patients after Stroke

Abstract

Stroke is a common cause of death and long-term disability. Neuro rehabilitation is a process to promote recovery and/or compensate for functional alterations especially if initiated early after stroke. Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) is deemed as an excellent therapy effectively applied on acute stroke stage for restoring motor function of upper extremities. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the efficacy of constraint induced movement (CIM) in improving upper functional ability motor skills among patients after stroke.

Method: Quasi-experimental research design was conducted in neurology department (stroke unit) at Mansoura University Hospital. A purposive sample of 100 adult patients of both sexes with cerebrovascular stroke, who corresponded to inclusion criteria were assigned randomly into two equal groups (study and control). Tools: Three tools were utilized to collect data pertinent to the study, namely; Biosociodemographic data, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Barthel Index scale (BI).  Results: The patients in study group showed significantly greater improvement in functional ability one month after baseline P< 0.05 & also as in control group. Conclusion: constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) applied for patients early post stroke produced statistically significant improvements in functional ability /status. Recommendation: Applying constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) in an outpatient rehabilitation setting for person with less motor recovery using a collaborative functional approach between team members, the stroke survivor, and the family