Modified constraint-induced movement therapy versus mirror therapy on affected hand functions in hemiparetic children

Aim: This study aimed to examine the efficacy of Modified Constraint-Induced Therapy versus mirror therapy for hand function in children with right hemiparetic cerebral palsy.Material and Methods: Forty children with hemiplegic CP participated in this study.All subjects were with right side affected, grade 1+ spasticity and level III of MACS, aged 5 to 8 years, were selected for this randomized study and randomly assigned into two equal groups.The control group (A) received mCIMT for 3 hours daily 5 days / week for consecutive 4 weeks and the other group (B) received mirror therapy for 30 minutes daily 5 days / week for consecutive 4 weeks.Both groups received regular intensive physical and occupational therapy apart from the above interventions.The data obtained from both groups pre-and post-treatment on the QUEST scale were statistically analyzed and compared.Result: There was a significant increase in the QUEST scale for Group A compared with that for Group B post treatment (p = 0.0001).The obtained findings clearly suggest that Modified constraint induced movement therapy (MCIMT) is more effective than mirror therapy in improving functions of the affected hand in children with Hemiparetic cerebral palsy.Discussion: Children with motor dysfunction could be improved using targeted functional training.The use of modified constraint-induced movement therapy and mirror therapy are strategies for achieving motor recovery.