Influence of constraint induced movement therapy on functional performance in stroke patients: a randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT The Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) can assist in the recovery of patients with post cerebrovascular accident sequelae. The aim was to assess whether the modified CIMT interferes with the balance and functional mobility of individuals in the chronic phase post-CVA. We conducted a randomized, blinded, clinical trial with 19 patients in the chronic phase post-CVA. Group 1, “no constraint,” was submitted only to the paretic upper limb (UL) specific training (shaping). Group 2, “with constraint,” was submitted to the paretic UL specific training (shaping) and non paretic UL constraint. The training was carried out 3 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The volunteers were evaluated before and immediately after the sessions with the Berg Balance scale (BBS), Timed “up & go” (TUG), evaluation of gait speed and going up and down stairs. Mann-Whitney test showed that the balance (BBS) showed significant improvement (p=0.014) in the group that used the constraint in the intra-group analysis. There was improvement in the gait speed (p=0.050) in the intergroups analysis. It was concluded that the modified CIMT influenced in the balance and gait speed of the Group submitted to the paretic UL specific training and constraint in the non-paretic UL.