Comparison of Frequency & Duration of Task Practice During Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy on Lower Limb in Stroke Patients

Stroke is a very serious medical condition, classically categorized as a neurological disorder that occurs due to obstructed blood flow to specific parts of the brain, and resultant death of that area. This obstructed blood supply results in compromised function of that part of the brain, resulting in paralysis or interference with the normal function of the body controlled by that specific region of the brain. Stroke is usually of two types i.e. Ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke results in reduced or complete obstruction in blood flow in the vessels resulting in ischemia, while a hemorrhagic stroke occurs due to rupture of blood carrying vessels and results in clotting. Both types reduce the supply of oxygen to the parts of the brain and result in cognitive and physical disabilities. Most common physical disabilities e.g. moving certain parts, swallowing, speaking, bowel bladder, coordination & balance. Other commonly occurring underlying disabilities range from cognitive, emotional to behavioural issues. Constrained Induced Moment Therapy (CIMT) is a therapeutic intervention involving the family of techniques, used most commonly to treat physical disabilities in patients of stroke. These techniques involve restraint of the intact or normal limb over an extended period, in combination with several movement repetitions of task-specific training by the affected limb and lead to improved functional status. Frequency and duration of tasks performed by affected limbs can affect outcomes effectively. Physiologically brain has characteristics of plasticity, which is the basis for CIMT as a treatment. The neurophysiological mechanism that is believed to be underline treatment benefits of CIMT includes overcoming learned outcomes and plastic reorganization of the brain. The brain changes itself when effected extremity is used intensively and repetitively. The physiological effects of CIMT are explained as cortical reorganization, dendritic branching, redundancy learned and synaptic strength Evidence on CIMT interventions for lower limb was quite rare. But many pieces of research supported that CIMT can be used as an equally effective intervention for a lower limb as it is being used for the upper limb. Constraining the lower extremity was difficult and complex as compared to the upper extremity. Improved functional status of the lower limb by treating with CIMT was accompanied by less balance, coordination and short stepped gate. Some researchers focused on repetitions while others focused on forced movements. All the evidence showed improved functional level in the post-stroke lower limb.

Stroke can be managed by a variety of different techniques, one of which is constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT). This form of rehabilitation focuses on the intensive use of the affected limb while restricting the use of the unaffected limb. The types of restraints used include a splint, a sling, a glove, a mitt and a combination of a sling and a resting hand splint. CIMT has been more commonly practised in the upper limb but after positive results were obtained from the upper extremity protocol, a protocol was developed for the lower extremity as well. A vast number of studies have shown the success of CIMT in treating the reduction of upper limb use in the practical world after traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and stroke. A specially adapted form of CIMT for the lower limb has also been successful in treating deficits in the lower limb after spinal cord injury and stroke