Neurológia pre prax 1/2016

The effects of constraint-induced movement therapy on patients with hemiparesis in the chronic stage of illness

The Aim: The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of constraint induced movement therapy on patients with hemiparesis. Material and method: 34 patients that underwent the combinet therapy (standard rehabilitation + constraint induced movement therapy) and 14 patients that underwent standard rehabilitation after a stroke in chronic stage of disease got involved in our pilot study. With patients admitted to the constraint induced movement therapy and to a control group we observed the quality with MAL (QOM) – motor activity log (quality of movement) test and quantity of using the weaker upper limb with MAL (AOU) – motor activity log (amount of use) test. We also observed the free activity of upper limbs with an action research arm test (ARAT). Results: All monitored parameters of patients that underwent the therapy of constraint induced movement therapy improved after the therapy. The quality and quantity of using the weaker limbs has significantly enhanced fine and gross motor skills (p<0.001). The control group has not proved any statistically significant improvement in the chosen tests. Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that the method of constraint induced movement therapy with patients with hemiparesis has a positive effect on the improvement of fine and rough locomotion and on the quality and quantity of using the weaker limb regardless the age, gender and the time that has elapsed since the disease.

Keywords: stroke, hemiparesis, neuroplasticity, constraint induced movement therapy