No abstract

The standard one-on-one constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) recently gained widespread acceptance as a means of effective stroke rehabilitation, but inherent issues associated with cost-effectiveness, safety, lack of dynamic group interaction, and compliance hampered this novel approach. This preliminary study highlights the effect of the group community-based CIMT, which integrated the concepts of the standard CIMT regimen. Eight participants were recruited from a local city community center and trained in the usage of mittens and safety management on the affected upper extremity for 90% of the hours when awake. The community-based CIMT was provided for 2 hours a day over 10 days. Outcome measures include motor recovery, strength, amount of use and quality of movement, self-perceived occupational performance and satisfaction as well as other psychological factors such as motivation, compliance, and enjoyment. These results all showed significant improvement after intervention and were maintained even after the 6-month follow up (P<0.05).