Overview
Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) is based on the theoretical basis that constraining the unaffected limb following injury of the brain such as stroke can help overcome learned non-use. It comprises of constraint of the unaffected limb, massed tasks practice with the affected limb and a behavioral contract known as the transfer package whereby use of the affected limb is extended to the real-world situations. home-based rehabilitation is likely to be cost-effective, and it may reduce cost for patients in terms of hospital charges and transport fares. However, one of the major problems with the existing home-based CIMT protocols is that, they used number of hours spent carrying out tasks practice as the measure of intensity of practice, and it has been argued that, such method is not clear and it does not reflect the correct intensity of practice.
Description
The aim of this study is to determine the effects of home-based CIMT compared with clinic-based CIMT that use number of repetition of tasks practice on motor impairment, motor function, quantity and quality of use of the limb in everyday life, community integration, stroke self-efficacy and quality of life. Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) can be administered either at home or in the clinic. The home-based CIMT is used to make CIMT easier for the patients
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- have stroke 1-2 years before
- moderate disability
- a score of 1 to 3 on the motor arm item of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
- a score of 3 or more on the upper arm item of the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS)
- no significant cognitive impairment (a score of ≥24 points on Minimental state examination)
Exclusion Criteria:
- patients with re-stroke
- serious orthopaedic conditions such joint contracture, osteoarthritis and burns that will interfere with carrying out CIMT
- who are receiving rehabilitation at the time of the study