Efects of Constraint-induced Movement Therapy on Upper Limb Function in Sub-acute Stroke Patients

Objective:To observe curative effect of constraint-induced movement therapy(CIMT)on upper limb function in sub-acute stroke patients.Method :Thirty-six patients with sub-acute stroke were randomly divided into contrast group(n=18)and Treatment group(n=18).Techniques of Bobath,Rood and Brunnstrom were adopted by contrast group in upper—limb and hands functional exercises,2h/d,five times a week,continuous for two weeks.CIMT was adopted by interference group,involving restriction of movement of the intact upper extremity by placing it in a sling for 90% of waking in a whole day and simultaneously training(by shaping)the affected upper extremity for 6h/d,five times a week,continuous for two weeks.Results:After treatment,the scores on UEFT and STEF were increased in two groups and were all better than before,the difierences were very obvious(PO.05).Comparing the scores of the two groups between pre-treatment and post—treatment the differences were very significant(PO.01).Conclusion:CIMT might be an efficacious method of improving function and use of the more affected arnls of sub—acute stroke patients,and compared with routine therapy.it shows significan t clinical improvements in upper function.CIMT with short—term intervention appears to precede motor limb improvement in many ways and the motor recovery plateau wuld be delayed.