Functional Assessment of Upper Extremity following Constraint-induced Movement Therapy among Older Adults post 6-months of Ischemic Stroke

Author(s) : Raana Rubab, Nabeela Safdar, Samreen Sadiq, Hafiz Muhammad Asim, Waqar Ahmad and Syeda Chamman Sherazi

Abstract:

Objective:
Constraint-induced movement therapy is a form of rehabilitation therapy that improves function of involved extremity in patients of stroke and other patients with damage to brain by selectively increasing the use of their affected upper limb. The basic purpose of current study was to access the functional abilities of upper limb among older adults having constraint induce movement therapy post 6-9 months of ischemic stroke.
Material and Methods:
A descriptive study was conducted on 43 stroke patients who had undergone constraint induced movement therapy. Data was collected from patients with stroke coming to physical therapy department of multi-setting Hospitals. Data collection was performance based and patients were evaluated by help of Wolf Motor Function Test that is standardize tool and involves 15 items and two strength items. Validity of WMFT is 0.92.
Results:
The mean age of patients was 62.44 whereas standard deviation 7.95. Mean and Standard deviation of functional ability was 3.3488 with a Standard Deviation 0.9228 and a P value of 0.001.
Conclusion:
Use of CIMT therapy during sub-acute stage rehabilitation period of post stroke patients facilitates functional improvement of a pelagic upper limb.

Key Words: Constraint Induced Therapy, Functional Ability, Stroke, Manual coordination.