Biography
Abstract
One of the challenges the application of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) faces is in ensuring adherence to use of restraint. Constraint-induced movement therapy was developed to improve purposeful movement of the stroke-affected extremity by restricting the use of the unaffected one. The two main components of the CIMT are the restraint of the affected extremity and mass training of the more impaired arm to perform functional tasks. The purpose of this study is to determine factors that influence duration of adherence among stroke survivors. Thirty (30) stroke survivors with hemiparesis were consecutively recruited from physiotherapy out-patient clinics using a purposive sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on clinical and socio-demographic parameters. The participants were given a restraint and a time log book to enter a daily record of time spent in wearing the restraint. The time log book was reviewed at the end of every week of the 3-week study. Motor function and functional ability were measured using Motricity Index and Motor Activity Log, respectively. Data was analyzed using the SPSS 15 with significant level set at 0.05. Age, gender (p=0.73) and side affected/handedness (p=0.79) had no significant influence on the percentage duration of adherence to use of restraint (DAU). The influence of Socio-Economic Status (SES) was significant with participants of the middle SES adhering for longer duration (p=0.02). There was significant correlation between corresponding motor function/ functional ability and DAU (p>0.05) except for the functional ability on the first week (0.44). The duration adherence to use of restraint in CIMT is majorly determined by clinical presentations of the stroke survivors.