title: Longer versus shorter daily constraint-induced movement therapy of chronic hemiparesis: an exploratory study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and compare the effects of 3-hour versus 6-hour daily training sessions in constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Intervention study, 2-group randomized trial; baseline, pretreatment, and posttreatment measures; 1-month follow-up (weekly measures).
  
  
  METHODS
  University department of psychology in Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of 15 adults with chronic hemiparesis (13 stroke, 2 traumatic brain injury).
  
  
  METHODS
  CIMT (14 consecutive days; constraint of unaffected hand for a target of 90% of waking hours) with either 6 hours (6h/d group, n=7) or 3 hours (3h/d group, n=8) of shaping training with the affected hand per day.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Motor Activity Log and Wolf Motor Function Test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements in motor function in the laboratory and increased use of the affected hand in the real-world environment were found in both groups. The beneficial effects were significantly greater in the 6h/d group than in the 3h/d group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3-hour CIMT training schedule significantly improved motor function in chronic hemiparesis, but it was less effective than the 6-hour training schedule.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, UK.asterr@liverpool.ac.uk
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sterr
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Elbert
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Berthold
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kölbel
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rockstroh
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taub
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010291:Paresis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis