Clinical observation on modified constraint-induced movement therapy(mCIMT) and constraint-induced movement therapy(CIMT) on rehabilitation of hand function and ability of daily living in patients with stroke

Objective To study the influence of modified constraint-induced movement therapy(mCIMT)and constraint-induced movement therapy(CIMT) on rehabilitation of hand function and ability of daily living in patients with stroke.Methods Fifty-eight patients with stroke were randomly divided into mCIMT group(n=27) and CIMT group(n=31).The movement of unimpaired extremities in patients of CIMT group and mCIMT group had been restricted by placing them in slings for 90% waking hours in a whole day for training.Patients in CIMT treatment group were exercised for 6 h/d,5 days a week for 2 weeks in a row,and patients in mCIMT group were exercised for 2 h/d,3 days a week,and they were also exercised in daily living at least 2 hours every day for ten consecutive weeks.All patients in these two groups were assessed by scale of STEF(Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function)and Barthel index(BI) at respective time-points in pre-treatment and post-treatment periods.Results There was no significant difference in scores of 10 items in STEF scale and Barthel index before treatment(P 0.05).The difference in scores of patients within the same group was statistically significant after treatment(P 0.05).The difference in BI between these two groups was significant(P 0.01)except the difference in STEF(P 0.05).Conclusion Treatment with mCIMT and CIMT can improve the flexibility and speed of movement of upper limbs in stroke patients,and mCIMT is much better than CIMT in improving activities of daily living.