title: Effect and appropriate restriction period of constraint-induced movement therapy in hemiparetic patients with brain injury: a brief report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect on fine motor ability and the appropriate restriction period of constraint-induced movement therapy in hemiparetic patients with brain injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine chronic hemiparetic patients with brain injury were studied. After confirming the cessation of further recovery of fine motor ability by Purdue pegboard test and motor function by the Medical Research Council for three consecutive weeks, the affected hand was restricted with an opposition restriction orthosis. The fine motor ability of the affected hand was assessed weekly using Purdue pegboard test and the orthosis was taken off when the Purdue pegboard score showed no further increase over three consecutive weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Purdue pegboard score increased in all patients. The mean post-treatment Purdue pegboard score (10.7) was significantly increased over that of pre-treatment (8.7) (p < 0.05). The mean restriction period was 3.6 weeks (range, 2 to 5 weeks).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective therapeutic method to improve the fine motor ability of the hemiparetic hand of brain-injured patients. It can be assumed that the appropriate restriction period is best decided individually, on a case by case basis, according to the time that maximizes the hand function of the affected hand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Yeungnam University School of Medicine, Taegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Woo
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Sung Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Zee Ihn
authors.initials: ZI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jun Chan
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Hye Kyoung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyun Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010291:Paresis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation