title: Distributed form of constraint-induced movement therapy improves functional outcome and quality of life after stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of a distributed version of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Within-subjects control intervention study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient rehabilitation center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven persons with chronic stroke. All had active extension of at least 20 degrees at the wrist and at least 10 degrees for each finger of the more-affected hand.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intensive motor training of the more-affected arm for 3 hours a day for 20 days; restraint of the other arm for 9.3 hours daily to limit its use. This intervention provides the same amount of training as provided in the conventional CIMT therapy protocol (60 h) but distributes training time over twice the number of days.
  
  
  METHODS
  Real-world (Motor Activity Log) and laboratory motor activity (Wolf Motor Function Test, Frenchay Arm Test, Nine Hole Peg Test), strength (grip force) and spasticity (Ashworth Scale), and quality of life (QOL; Stroke Impact Scale) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants showed significant improvements in more-affected arm real-world motor activity, laboratory motor activity, strength and spasticity, as well as in some aspects of QOL, up to 6 months after treatment ( P .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Distributed CIMT is a promising intervention for improving motor function and QOL in patients with chronic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Neurologisches Therapiecentrum, Reha-Zentrum Berlinger Tor, Hamburg, Germany. c.dettmers@berlinger-tor.de
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dettmers
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Teske
authors.forename: Farsin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hamzei
authors.forename: Gitendra
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Uswatte
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taub
authors.forename: Cornelius
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weiller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome