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Objective: To investigate whether high-intensity lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy can improve balance, leg strength, and dual-task ability. Design: A longitudinal cohort study in a real-world outpatient clinic. Patients: 147 community-dwelling participants in the subacute and chronic poststroke phases. Methods: Participants received lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy for 6 hours/day during 2 consecutive weeks, including balance, strength, and functional training. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Single-Leg-Stance (SLS) bilaterally, one Repetition Maximum (1RM) in a leg press, symmetry of leg strength (Diff-1RM), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and the TUG Manual test were assessed before, after, and 3 months after lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy. Results: Compared with preintervention data, statistically significant improvements after lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy (p < 0.001) were demonstrated for balance with an absolute value in BBS at 1.9 points (effect size 0.38) and SLS at 2.4 s (effect size 0.24), and for leg strength at 10.2 kg (effect size 0.54) for the affected leg. Diff 1RM decreased significantly at 5.8 kg (effect size 0.39) and improvements on dual-task ability at 2.7 s were significant (effect size 0.14). The effects persisted at the 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: High-intensity lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy may be a feasible treatment option for middle-aged stroke patients to affect balance, leg strength, and dual-task ability positively in an out-patient clinical setting.

Objective: To investigate whether high-intensity lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy can improve balance, leg strength, and dual-task ability. Design: A longitudinal cohort study in a real-world outpatient clinic. Patients: 147 community-dwelling participants in the subacute and chronic poststroke phases. Methods: Participants received lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy for 6 hours/day during 2 consecutive weeks, including balance, strength, and functional training. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Single-Leg-Stance (SLS) bilaterally, one Repetition Maximum (1RM) in a leg press, symmetry of leg strength (Diff-1RM), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and the TUG Manual test were assessed before, after, and 3 months after lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy. Results: Compared with preintervention data, statistically significant improvements after lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy (p < 0.001) were demonstrated for balance with an absolute value in BBS at 1.9 points (effect size 0.38) and SLS at 2.4 s (effect size 0.24), and for leg strength at 10.2 kg (effect size 0.54) for the affected leg. Diff 1RM decreased significantly at 5.8 kg (effect size 0.39) and improvements on dual-task ability at 2.7 s were significant (effect size 0.14). The effects persisted at the 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: High-intensity lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy may be a feasible treatment option for middle-aged stroke patients to affect balance, leg strength, and dual-task ability positively in an out-patient clinical setting.

BACKGROUND: To regain the ability to walk is one of the most commonly stated goals for people who have had a stroke due to its importance in everyday life. Walking ability affects patients’ mobility, self-care, and social lives. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is known to be effective in improving upper extremity outcomes post-stroke. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding its efficacy in improving lower extremity outcomes.AIM: To investigate whether a highly intensive CIMT for lower extremity (LE-CIMT) function post-stroke can improve motor function, functional mobility, and walking ability. Furthermore, it also aimed to investigate whether age, gender, stroke type, more-affected side, or time after stroke onset affect the efficacy of LE-CIMT on walking ability outcomes. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. POPULATION: A total of 147 patients mean age 51 years (68% males; 57% right-sided hemiparesis), at the sub-acute or chronic phases post-stroke who had not previously undergone LE-CIMT. METHODS: All patients received LE-CIMT for 6 hours per day over 2 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of the lower extremity, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Ten-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were used to assess functional outcomes before and directly after the 2-week treatment was complete as well at 3-month post-intervention. RESULTS: Compared to baseline values, FMA (P<0.001), TUG (P<0.001), 10MWT (P<0.001) and 6MWT (P<0.001) scores were statistically significantly improved directly after the LE-CIMT intervention. These improvements persisted at the 3-month post-intervention follow-up. Those who completed the intervention 1-6 months after stroke onset had statistically significant larger improvements in 10MWT compared to those who received the intervention later than 6 months after stroke onset. Age, gender, stroke type, and more-affected side did not impact 10MWT results.

BACKGROUND: To regain the ability to walk is one of the most commonly stated goals for people who have had a stroke due to its importance in everyday life. Walking ability affects patients’ mobility, self-care, and social lives. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is known to be effective in improving upper extremity outcomes post-stroke. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding its efficacy in improving lower extremity outcomes.AIM: To investigate whether a highly intensive CIMT for lower extremity (LE-CIMT) function post-stroke can improve motor function, functional mobility, and walking ability. Furthermore, it also aimed to investigate whether age, gender, stroke type, more-affected side, or time after stroke onset affect the efficacy of LE-CIMT on walking ability outcomes. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. POPULATION: A total of 147 patients mean age 51 years (68% males; 57% right-sided hemiparesis), at the sub-acute or chronic phases post-stroke who had not previously undergone LE-CIMT. METHODS: All patients received LE-CIMT for 6 hours per day over 2 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of the lower extremity, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Ten-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were used to assess functional outcomes before and directly after the 2-week treatment was complete as well at 3-month post-intervention. RESULTS: Compared to baseline values, FMA (P<0.001), TUG (P<0.001), 10MWT (P<0.001) and 6MWT (P<0.001) scores were statistically significantly improved directly after the LE-CIMT intervention. These improvements persisted at the 3-month post-intervention follow-up. Those who completed the intervention 1-6 months after stroke onset had statistically significant larger improvements in 10MWT compared to those who received the intervention later than 6 months after stroke onset. Age, gender, stroke type, and more-affected side did not impact 10MWT results.

BACKGROUND: To regain the ability to walk is one of the most commonly stated goals for people who have had a stroke due to its importance in everyday life. Walking ability affects patients’ mobility, self-care, and social lives. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is known to be effective in improving upper extremity outcomes post-stroke. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding its efficacy in improving lower extremity outcomes.AIM: To investigate whether a highly intensive CIMT for lower extremity (LE-CIMT) function post-stroke can improve motor function, functional mobility, and walking ability. Furthermore, it also aimed to investigate whether age, gender, stroke type, more-affected side, or time after stroke onset affect the efficacy of LE-CIMT on walking ability outcomes. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. POPULATION: A total of 147 patients mean age 51 years (68% males; 57% right-sided hemiparesis), at the sub-acute or chronic phases post-stroke who had not previously undergone LE-CIMT. METHODS: All patients received LE-CIMT for 6 hours per day over 2 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of the lower extremity, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Ten-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were used to assess functional outcomes before and directly after the 2-week treatment was complete as well at 3-month post-intervention. RESULTS: Compared to baseline values, FMA (P<0.001), TUG (P<0.001), 10MWT (P<0.001) and 6MWT (P<0.001) scores were statistically significantly improved directly after the LE-CIMT intervention. These improvements persisted at the 3-month post-intervention follow-up. Those who completed the intervention 1-6 months after stroke onset had statistically significant larger improvements in 10MWT compared to those who received the intervention later than 6 months after stroke onset. Age, gender, stroke type, and more-affected side did not impact 10MWT results.

BACKGROUND: To regain the ability to walk is one of the most commonly stated goals for people who have had a stroke due to its importance in everyday life. Walking ability affects patients’ mobility, self-care, and social lives. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is known to be effective in improving upper extremity outcomes post-stroke. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding its efficacy in improving lower extremity outcomes.AIM: To investigate whether a highly intensive CIMT for lower extremity (LE-CIMT) function post-stroke can improve motor function, functional mobility, and walking ability. Furthermore, it also aimed to investigate whether age, gender, stroke type, more-affected side, or time after stroke onset affect the efficacy of LE-CIMT on walking ability outcomes. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. POPULATION: A total of 147 patients mean age 51 years (68% males; 57% right-sided hemiparesis), at the sub-acute or chronic phases post-stroke who had not previously undergone LE-CIMT. METHODS: All patients received LE-CIMT for 6 hours per day over 2 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of the lower extremity, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Ten-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were used to assess functional outcomes before and directly after the 2-week treatment was complete as well at 3-month post-intervention. RESULTS: Compared to baseline values, FMA (P<0.001), TUG (P<0.001), 10MWT (P<0.001) and 6MWT (P<0.001) scores were statistically significantly improved directly after the LE-CIMT intervention. These improvements persisted at the 3-month post-intervention follow-up. Those who completed the intervention 1-6 months after stroke onset had statistically significant larger improvements in 10MWT compared to those who received the intervention later than 6 months after stroke onset. Age, gender, stroke type, and more-affected side did not impact 10MWT results.

BACKGROUND: To regain the ability to walk is one of the most commonly stated goals for people who have had a stroke due to its importance in everyday life. Walking ability affects patients’ mobility, self-care, and social lives. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is known to be effective in improving upper extremity outcomes post-stroke. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding its efficacy in improving lower extremity outcomes.AIM: To investigate whether a highly intensive CIMT for lower extremity (LE-CIMT) function post-stroke can improve motor function, functional mobility, and walking ability. Furthermore, it also aimed to investigate whether age, gender, stroke type, more-affected side, or time after stroke onset affect the efficacy of LE-CIMT on walking ability outcomes. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. POPULATION: A total of 147 patients mean age 51 years (68% males; 57% right-sided hemiparesis), at the sub-acute or chronic phases post-stroke who had not previously undergone LE-CIMT. METHODS: All patients received LE-CIMT for 6 hours per day over 2 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of the lower extremity, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Ten-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were used to assess functional outcomes before and directly after the 2-week treatment was complete as well at 3-month post-intervention. RESULTS: Compared to baseline values, FMA (P<0.001), TUG (P<0.001), 10MWT (P<0.001) and 6MWT (P<0.001) scores were statistically significantly improved directly after the LE-CIMT intervention. These improvements persisted at the 3-month post-intervention follow-up. Those who completed the intervention 1-6 months after stroke onset had statistically significant larger improvements in 10MWT compared to those who received the intervention later than 6 months after stroke onset. Age, gender, stroke type, and more-affected side did not impact 10MWT results.