What is the long-term benefit of constraint-induced movement therapy? A four-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term benefits of constraint-induced movement therapy in chronic stroke.


METHODS
A four-year follow-up after constraint-induced group therapy assessing arm and hand function and self-reported daily hand use.


METHODS
Fourteen post-stroke individuals (six women and eight men; mean age 59.6 +/- 12.7 years, range 23-75 years) with mild to moderate impairments of hand function.


METHODS
The Sollerman hand function test and the Motor Activity Log test.


RESULTS
Four years after constraint-induced group therapy the participants had maintained their hand function, as measured by the Sollerman hand function test. The self-reported use and quality of movements of the more affected hand, as measured by the Motor Activity Log test, had decreased compared to post-treatment and three months follow-up (P<0.01), but was still significantly higher than pre-treatment (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There seems to be a long-term benefit of constraint-induced group therapy. Hand function was maintained over time and daily hand use had increased compared to pre-treatment. To provide guidelines about the clinical use of constraint-induced movement therapy further, larger and controlled studies are needed.
Department of Rehabilitation, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund. christina.brogardh@skane.se
Christina
C
Brogårdh
Ulla-Britt
UB
Flansbjer
Jan
J
Lexell
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation