Published Paper Details:

Hemiplegia, a common consequence of stroke and other neurological conditions, presents significant challenges to rehabilitation efforts. Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) has emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment to traditional rehabilitation approaches. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CIMT as an adjunct to hemiplegia rehabilitation. A comprehensive search of electronic databases yielded a total of 20 eligible studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The studies included various designs, ranging from randomized controlled trials to cohort studies, and involved diverse patient populations across different settings. Our findings indicate that CIMT, when used alongside conventional rehabilitation, leads to significant improvements in motor function, activities of daily living, and quality of life among individuals with hemiplegia. Moreover, subgroup analyses revealed that the effectiveness of CIMT may vary based on factors such as stroke chronicity, severity, and the duration of CIMT intervention. Adverse events associated with CIMT were minimal and generally mild, suggesting its safety profile. However, further research is warranted to optimize CIMT protocols, identify patient subgroups that may benefit most from this intervention, and elucidate its long-term effects. In conclusion, CIMT appears to be a valuable adjunctive therapy for hemiplegia rehabilitation, offering promising outcomes in motor recovery and functional independence.