Abstract: ObjectiveTo assess the effects of constraint-induced movement therapy(CIMT) on sub-acute stroke patients with upper extremity motor dysfunction.Methods63 patients with hemiplegia after stroke were divided into two groups: control group(31 cases) and CIMT group(32 casese). The two groups received the regular rehabilitation training for 14 d. Then the control group went on the the regular rehabilitation training, while the CIMT group received CIMT for 14 d. All patients were assessed by the Action Research Arm Test(ARAT) and Fugl-Meyer(FMA) on the first day, the 15th day and the 30th day after the treatment.ResultsARAT score and FMA scores were higher in CIMT group than in the control group 30 d after the treatment and in CIMT group 15 days after the treatment(P<0.001).ConclusionCIMT is more effective to improve the upper limb motor function of the sub-acute stroke patients than the regular rehabilitation training.

Key words: constraint-induced movement therapy, stroke, sub-acute, upper extremity