ABSTRACT

Objective : This study examines how CIMT and FU therapy affect the upper extremity function and activities of daily living of hemiplegic stroke patients under a home environment.Methods : The study adopted a multiple baseline design among experiment groups. Six hemiplegic stroke patients were divided into three groups (two for each group) . CIMT restricted the use of the healthy side of the upper limb (5 hours), while focusing on training of the stroke-affected upper limb (3 hours). In regard to FU, the patients had to wear gloves on the healthy side of the upper limbs to limit their use for five hours during the most active time of day. The function of the upper limbs was measured based on a Box and Block Test (BBT) during the therapy period, and on an Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) and Motor Activity Log (MAL) both before and after the therapy. A visual analysis was conducted using a graph, and changes in values were analyzed before and after the therapy to analyze the experimental results.Results : MFT and BBT demonstrated that all patients showed improved functionality. The performance in—dicator of AMPS and frequency of using the stroke-affected limbs and quality of movement in MAL also showed improvement in all patients. In all groups, patients who went through CIMT showed more improvement than those who followed FU therapy.Conclusion : Both CIMT and FU conducted in a home environment had a positive impact on the upper ex—tremity function of hemiplegic stroke patients, and the effect of CIMT was better than FU.