The Effect of Constraint-Induced Movement Treatment on Occupational Performance and Satisfaction in Stroke Survivors

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and impaired arm function is a common consequence. Constraint-induced movement treatment is a technique used to increase weak arm use and to decrease motor deficits resulting from stroke. Eleven stroke survivors participated in a constraint-induced movement treatment protocol of 3 ½ hours of treatment per day for 8 days. Participants experienced significantly increased use of the weak arm in daily activities, which was measured by the Motor Activity Log, and a trend toward improved coordination in the weak arm, which was measured by the Wolf Motor Function Test. Participants did not report significant improvements in average performance or satisfaction in self-identified occupational performance problems. When these problems were analyzed individually, no significant differences were seen immediately post-treatment. However, significant improvements were seen for satisfaction at 4 to 6 months post-treatment. The occupational performance problems identified by the participants were equally divided between problems related to hand use and problems not related to hand use. Approximately half of the non-hand use problems involved endurance. Although participants in this study did make improvements in arm use and coordination, they did not identify improvements in average occupational performance or satisfaction as an outcome of constraint-induced movement treatment.