Modified Constraint Induced Movement Therapy versus traditional physiotherapy after cerebral stroke: a pilot study

• Main Authors: Åse Bergheim, Vibeke Graver
• Format: Article
• Language: Danish
• Published: Norwegian Physiotherapist Association 2010-02-01
• Series: Fysioterapeuten
• Subjects: Stroke; subacute; modified Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
• Online Access: https://fysioterapeuten.no/Fag-og-vitenskap/Fagartikler/En-pilotstudie

Questions: At our hospital, is it possible to recruit to a pilot study ten patients with subacute cerebral stroke? And do they improve differently on motor function receiving modified Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) versus traditional physiotherapy (TP)? Design: Randomized controlled pilot trial with follow up at three end six months after debut of symptoms. Material and Methods: Patients in subacute-phase after cerebral stroke, i.e. 14 - 21 days after symptom debut, were referred to The Section of Stroke, Ullevaal University Hospital. They were consecutively included and randomized to either two weeks of treatment with mCIMT or TP. Main difference in therapy was constraint use of unaffected upper extremity due to a mitten for 6-7 hours per day in the mCIMT-group. Main treatment goal was function in the affected upper extremity, and main outcome measure was the total score of Birgitta Lindmarks Motor Assessment (BLMA). The test was carried out and scored by a physiotherapist who was blinded to the intervention given to the patient. Results: During a period of about one and a half year, two women and two men were included. All of the patients showed improvements, but the results did not indicate that one treatment was superior to the other. Conclusion: This pilot study only managed to recruit four patients with subacute stroke. It did not indicate difference on improved motor function between mCIMT and traditional physiotherapy in short and long term.