Exploring the Efficacy of Constraintinduced Movement Therapy on Hand Function Rehabilitation in Stroke Survivors: A Review

Introduction: Stroke is the abrupt loss of neurological function caused by an arrest of the blood flow to the brain which deprives brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Majority of people with stroke experience some degree of motor impairment in their upper extremities. Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a multi-faceted intervention which promotes affected upper extremity. It involves constraining the movement of unaffected limb while synchronously engaging in intensive training and exercises with the affected limb. Aim: To emphasise the effect of CIMT on hand function rehabilitation in stroke patients. Materials and Methods: An extensive search on various databases was carried out including Ovid, Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed,Research gate and Scopus. Studies done in last 15 years were included in the review. Results: CIMT showed significant improvements in grip strength, dexterity and overall functional use of the affected hand and with long lasting effects, indicating the enduring effectiveness in facilitating hand function recovery. Conclusion: CIMT is an effective intervention for improving hand function among stroke patients.