title: Effects of constraint-induced movement therapy on spasticity in patients with hemiparesis after stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We sought to examine the effects of constraint-induced movement therapy on spasticity in patients with hemiparesis after stroke in 10 patients with chronic hemiparesis in their upper extremities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients underwent a modified version of constraint-induced movement therapy (5 hours daily for 10 weekdays over 2 consecutive weeks). Motor function was assessed by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Wolf Motor Function Test, and the Motor Activity Log. Spasticity was assessed by the modified Ashworth scale and electromyography (F frequency, mean F/M ratio). These assessments were obtained immediately before and after the 2-week intervention. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were performed on these data (P < .05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Constraint-induced movement therapy significantly improved hand and arm function as indicated by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Wolf Motor Function Test, and the Motor Activity Log scores. Constraint-induced movement therapy also reduced spasticity as assessed by the modified Ashworth scale, F frequency, and mean F/M ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparable to motor function, constraint-induced movement therapy effectively reduces spasticity as confirmed by electromyography.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hyogo University of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan. kagawa@huhs.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kagawa
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koyama
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosomi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takebayashi
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hanada
authors.forename: Fumiaki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Kazuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Domen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004576:Electromyography; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010291:Paresis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome