Constraint-induced movement therapy in the rehabilitation of chronic hemiparetic patients in the Amazonia

The stroke is one of the incident diseases in the world, causing numerous changes to the functionality especially those related to upper limb functions. Objective: To evaluate the influence of modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) on functional recovery, range of motion (ROM) and muscle tone of chronic hemiparetic upper limb (UL). Methods: Seven subjects (52.75 ± 6.63 years old) were evaluated before, straightaway and one month after 12 sessions of mCIMT, by goniometry, modified Fugl-Meyer Assessment (mFMA) and modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Results: Functionality improved 74.7% after treatment and 79.5% one month after the end of treatment. There was improvement in passive motion (p = 0.01), in pain (p = 0.004) and UL motor function (p ≤ 0.001), increased range of flexion, extension, abduction and adduction of the shoulder and flexion and radial deviation of the wrist (p = 0.05) and muscle tone reduction (p < 0.05). Conclusion: mCIMT was effective for recovery of ROM in shoulder and wrist; recovery of the paretic UL functionality and spasticity reduction, and the results remained after the end of treatment.Key-words: stroke, physical therapy, rehabilitation, human movement, modified constraint-induced movement therapy.