Constraint-induced movement therapy for upper extremities in stroke patients

Paralysis of an arm after a stroke makes arm movements, such as reaching, grasping, and manipulating an object difficult. In turn, this causes many difficulties in activities of daily life, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is a type of rehabilitation therapy in which the patient is obliged to use the paralysed arm. The normal arm and hand are prevented from moving with a glove and a special arm rest. We found 19 studies involving 619 participants, which assessed whether CIMT could reduce disability in stroke patients with a paralysed arm. Patients were included in the studies if they had good potential for recovery but tended not to use the arm. At the end of the treatment period, compared with exercise without constraint, CIMT improved the patient’s ability to manage activities of daily living, but there was no evidence that this improvement was maintained over the next six months. Further larger trials to assess whether CIMT provides lasting benefit are justified.