Modified constraint-induced movement therapy early after stroke: Participants’ experiences
Sammanfattning
Objective. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is a rehabilitation approach developed
to improve hand and arm
function after a stroke. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into patients ’experiences with
CIMT and to investigate
how their function and daily life were infl uenced during and after the treatment period. Methods. We
conducted in-depth
semi-structured interviews with three men, aged 60-70 years, in the subacute post-stroke stage,
recently discharged from
modifi ed CIMT. Results. The participants were satisfi ed with the CIMT in terms of improvement in
physical function in
the affected arm but, when interviewed, they reported excessive muscle activity and lack of precision
during fi ne motor
activities. The outcome measures employed did not capture aspects of the patients ’function which
the patients, when asked,
still experienced and regarded as vital. Because of the scope and form of outcome measures the
patients thus did not report
about pain, muscle tension or tiredness while in treatment. Conclusion. The patients reported
improvement only within the
preset terms given by the CIMT framework and the outcome measures. When urged to, they shared
their own experiences
of functionality, movement and pain.