title: To compare the effectiveness of constraint induced movement therapy versus motor relearning programme to improve motor function of hemiplegic upper extremity after stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of constraint induced movement therapy versus motor relearning programme to improve motor function of hemiplegic upper extremity after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 42 patients was recruited from the Physiotherapy Department of IPM&R and Neurology OPD of Civil Hospital Karachi through non probability purposive sampling technique. Twenty one patients were placed to each experimental and control groups. Experimental group was treated with Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and control group was treated with motor relearning programme (MRP) for three consecutive weeks. Pre and post treatment measurements were determined by upper arm section of Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) and Self Care item of Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intra group analysis showed statistically significant results (p-value<0.05) in all items of MAS in both groups. However, advanced hand activities item of MAS in MRP group showed insignificant result (p-value=0.059). Self-care items of FIM Scale also showed significant result (p-value< 0.05) in both groups except dressing upper body item (p-value=0.059) in CIMT group and grooming and dressing upper body items (p-value=0.059 & 0.063) in MRP group showed insignificant p-values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CIMT group showed more significant improvement in motor function and self-care performance of hemiplegic upper extremity as compared to MRP group in patients with sub-acute stroke assessed by the MAS and FIM scales. Thus CIMT is proved to be more statistically significant and clinically effective intervention in comparison to motor relearning programme among the patients aged between 35-60 years. Further studies are needed to evaluate CIMT effects in acute and chronic post stroke population.
authors.affiliation: Sana Batool, MSPT. Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Batool
authors.affiliation: Dr. Nabila Soomro, FCPS. Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Nabila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soomro
authors.affiliation: Fareeha Amjad, MSPT. Institute of Physical Therapy, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Fareeha
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amjad
authors.affiliation: Rabia Fauz, MSc. PT. Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rabia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fauz
keywords: Constraint movement therapy; Motor learning programme; Physiotherapy; Rehabilitation; Stroke