Impact of Constraint- Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) on Upper Limb Motor Functions of Post Stroke Survivors

Author(s): Dina NA, Sharmin S, Kamal T, Sarker S

Background: Stroke is frequently accompanied by loss of motor function, where more than half of stroke survivors losing functional abilities in their affected upper limb. Constraint- Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is one of the rehabilitative interventions that can be effective for motor recovery.

Objectives: To observe the impact of Constraint- Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) on upper limb motor functions of post stroke survivors. Methods: The study was designed as a Quasi- experimental study (Pretest and Post-test) conducted in the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital (ShSMCH), Dhaka. The patients eligible for CIMT were evaluated clinically and by standardized assessment tools at enrollment and followed up at 2 weeks and at 4 weeks after giving conventional rehabilitation and CIMT. Motor functional abilities of hemiparetic upper limb were assessed by Fugl-Meyer (FM) assessment.

Results: A total 60 patients were analyzed among them mean age was 52.77 ± 10.30 years. Most of them (72%) were male. Mean of onset stroke duration were found 34.62 ± 48.66 days. Ischemic stroke was found in 77% patients. Mean FIM score at baseline among the patients was 106.28 ± 12.61. Mean FM baseline score was 45.57 ± 7.56 where 86.7% and 13.3% patients were found in moderate and mild impairment group (p=0.000) respectively. Follow-up after two week mean FM score was found 52.25 ± 6.58 among them 68.3% in moderate impairment and 31.7% in mild impairment group (p=0.000). Follow-up after four week mean FM score was 54.42 ± 5.66 among them 60% in moderate impairment and 40% in mild impairment group (p=0.000).

Conclusion: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) combined with conventi