[Constraint-induced movement therapy in the rehabilitation of hemineglect after a stroke]

Hemineglect produces a lower capacity for recovery after the stroke and so far there are no rehabilitation techniques that have proven to be effective at functional level.

The main objective of this work was to assess whether the modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT)for hemineglect produces greater benefits than conventional therapy on functional hemineglect. Secondary objectives were to assess whether mCIMT produces greater benefits on upper and lower limb function as well as on the degree of autonomy and disability of patients with in relation to conventional therapy.

We have recruited 30 patients with ischemic stroke and diagnosis of hemineglect randomly assigned to mCIMT group (n = 15) or conventional therapy group (n = 15). We used the Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS) for assessment hemineglect; Fugl-Meyer tests for the motor function of lower and upper limb, and Barthel index and modified Rankin scale for the rest of objectives.

We have found significant differences in favour of mCIMT group in the CBS after treatment and three months later once finished. We have not found differences between groups for the rest of variables.

mCIMT could be a more effective therapy than conventional therapy to improve the symptoms of hemineglect in the acute stroke. However, it may be clinically more recommended in patients with a certain motor function after stroke.