Abstract:
Purpose: This study was aimed to examine the efficacy of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT), which was applied to lower extremity, on strength and quality of life (QoL) in patients with stroke.
Methods: Thirty patients with stroke were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) for four weeks as baseline treatment. After four weeks, when the study group received mCIMT, the control group continued NDT for two weeks as the experimental treatment. The strength was evaluated using Motricity Index, and QoL was evaluated using Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QoL), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) for three times (baseline, post 4 weeks, and post 6 weeks).
Results: The strength and QoL improved in both groups for all treatment periods (p<0.01). The paretic lower limb strength developed more in the mCIMT group for the total treatment period (p=0.029). The total score of the SS-QoL and mobility, self-care, thinking, mood, family, and social roles subdomain scores of the SS-QoL were more pronounced in the mCIMT group after the mCIMT period (p<0.05). The amount of perceived recovery domain of SIS was greater in the mCIMT group after mCIMT and total treatment periods according to the control group (p<0.001). The total changes in strength and QOL were strongly correlated with the improvement in the mCIMT period (r=0.709, p<0.01 and r=0.769, p<0.01) than in the baseline period (r=0.660, p<0.01 and r=0.505, p<0.01).
Conclusion: The study showed that mCIMT could be used as an effective treatment method for patients with stroke to improve paretic lower extremity strength and health-related QoL.