Remodelling the protocol of lower limb constraint-induced movement therapy: a pilot randomized controlled trial

During constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), the tasks practiced have been traditionally measured using hours. Recent studies have indicated that it is equally effective and easier when the number of repetitions is used for this purpose.
Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the use of number of repetitions and hours of task practice as measures of dose during lower limb CIMT in patients ≤6 months post-stroke.
Methods: The sCIMT group performed the same 4 functional tasks, 40 times each, 2 times a day; the tCIMT group performed the tasks for 2 hours a day. In both groups, the unaffected limb was constrained for 90% of waking hours. The control group received conventional therapy, 2 hours per day. Both the interventions and the control were carried out 5 times in a week for 4 weeks. Data were collected using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale for motor function of the lower limb at baseline and post-intervention. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed- rank test at p<0.05.
Results: The results showed significant improvement in Fugl Meyer motor scores in sCIMT and tCIMT groups post-intervention, though higher in the sCIMT group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: sCIMT improves the impairment after stroke.