Influence of manual dominance on the uni- and bi-manual activities of post-stroke patients treated with constraint-induced therapy

Background : Constraint-induced therapy (CIT) has long-term beneficial effects. However, there is evidence that the recovery of the functional movements of the affected hand can be influenced by hand dominance prior to the brain injury and that this aspect may influence the maintenance of the CIT results. Aim : To investigate the influence of previous hand dominance in post-stroke hemiparetic patients on immediate CIT results and result maintenance in uni- and bi-manual activities for at least 12 months. Methods : This study was an observational study that used medical records of patients who performed the CIT protocol between 2009 and 2014. Thirty-four patients were included and divided into two groups [concordance group (n=18; age: 56(13); sex: 11 male) and non-dominant group (n=16; age: 57(13); sex: 9 male)]. Two scales were used: the Motor Activity Log (MAL), and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). Results : MAL and WMFT scales showed significant improvement comparing pre- to post-treatment. However, there is no statistical difference between the groups and the follow-ups on both scales. Conclusions : There was significant improvement and maintenance in both the quality and the amount of use in the more affected upper limb, but the previous manual dominance was not a relevant factor.