title: A randomized controlled trial of modified constraint-induced movement therapy for elderly stroke survivors: changes in motor impairment, daily functioning, and quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the benefits of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) on motor function, daily function, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in elderly stroke survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two-group randomized controlled trial, with pretreatment and posttreatment measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rehabilitation clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six elderly stroke patients (mean age, 72 y) with 0.5 to 31 months postonset of a first-ever cerebrovascular accident.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six patients received either mCIMT (restraint of the unaffected limb combined with intensive training of the affected limb) or traditional rehabilitation for a period of 3 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcome measures included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), FIM instrument, Motor Activity Log (MAL), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). The FMA evaluated the severity of motor impairment; the FIM instrument and MAL reported daily function; and the SIS detected HRQOL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mCIMT group exhibited significantly greater improvements in motor function, daily function, and the physical domain of HRQOL than the traditional rehabilitation group. Patients in the mCIMT group perceived significantly greater percent of recovery after treatment than patients in the traditional rehabilitation group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest mCIMT is a promising intervention for improving motor function, daily function, and physical aspects of HRQOL in elderly patients with stroke. The mCIMT was well tolerated by the elderly patients even though it is a rigorous training program.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Clinical Behavioral Science and Department of Occupational Therapy, Chang Gung University, and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chia-ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen-chung
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Keh-chung
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shih-han
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome