Can Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Improve In-Hand Manipulation Skills: A Single Subject Design

• Main Authors: Somaye Kavousipor, Sahar Ghanbari, Abbas Alipour
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Negah Institute for Scientific Communication 2012-04-01
• Series: Iranian Rehabilitation Journal
• Subjects: Constraint induced movement therapy; In hand manipulation skills; Hemiplegia; Upper limb
• Online Access: http://irj.uswr.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-135-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1

Objectives: This study describes a single subject design (ABA) that shows the effective use of constraint induced movement therapy in improvement of quality and performance of in-hand manipulation skills for a 10 year old boy and a 9 years old girl with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, as Dickerson (2007) showed it in arm movement and function. Methods: To determine the effectiveness of CIMT by the use of C-statistic analysis and visual analysis. Approach: The first step was to design a child friendly group activity and home based intervention program through occupation. The possible effectiveness of CIMT was evaluated by daily measurements and video recording of 6 sub skills of in-hand manipulation according to Pont category (2009) in defined activity. Results: For making the treatment more cost effective, families can produce a simple clinical setting at home and participate in their child treatment plan actively. Discussion: A client center intervention will facilitate the use and quality of fingers and hand motion. Also a group activity can motivate participants to participate more and better.