Is modified constraint-induced movement therapy effective in improving motor performance in patients with hemiplegia?

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) on upper extremity motor recovery, performance, and functional independence in addition to conventional rehabilitation in stroke patients.Methods: The study included 40 participants, including 20 chronic stroke cases in the intervention group (IG) (64.45±9.18 years) and 20 chronic stroke cases in the control group (CG) (64.45±9.18 years) who met the selection criteria. IG received mCIMT with regular physiotherapy, while CG received only regular physiotherapy. The patients were evaluated with the Motor Activity Log-28 (MAL-28), the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale (FMUES) before treatment, immediately after treatment (post-treatment), and at three months after treatment (follow-up).Results: The MAL-28 and FIM scores significantly increased in both groups compared with the baseline values after treatment and at the third-month follow-up (p<0.05). After treatment and at the third-month follow-up, the FMUES scores significantly increased in both groups compared with the baseline values (p<0.001).Conclusion: This study showed that mCIMT added to conventional therapy improved upper extremity motor function, performance, and functional independence in chronic stroke patients; however, mCIMT had no additional benefit to conventional therapy.