http://ww1.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=33&ArticleID=5664&Src=news&From=Sub
Category

On the Pulse News - One armed approach to stroke recovery






One armed approach to stroke recovery
A new study has shown that a new spin on stroke rehabilitation can be extremely
effective. A study published in last week's issue of the Journal of the American
Medical Association showed great improvements in patients using
constraint-induced therapy for two weeks. Think of this as doing therapy with
one arm tied behind your back. The 106 patients had to wear a mitt on the arm
least affected by the stroke in order to restrain movement and use. This meant
that the patients had to use their weakened arm more often for performing daily
tasks. In addition, five days a week, the patients had as much as six hours of
physical therapy assistance. When compared to a group of 116 patients receiving
the usual after-stroke care, the constraint-induced therapy group experienced
significantly more improvement in the function and use of their affected arm.
They experienced an average of 52% improvement in ability and quality of
improvement in their weakened arm compared to a 26% improvement in the control
group. The patients also reported their weakened arms were almost 20%easier to
use after the constraint-induced therapy. 

Read more about living with stroke. 
Source: Wolf, SL, Winstein CJ, Miller JP, et al. Effect of Constraint-Induced
Movement Therapy on Upper Extremity Function 3 to 9 Months After Stroke. The
EXCITE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Vol. 296 No. 17, November 1, 2006 


http://www.heartandstroke.ca - 11/9/2006
Copyright 2006 Heart and Stroke Foundation 

-----------------------

To change your mail settings or leave the C-PALSY list, go here:

http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?SUBED1=c-palsy