Constraint-induced Movement Therapy in Patients with Upper Limb Peripheral Nerve Injury

Upper limb peripheral nerve injuries due to secondary changes in cortical maps cause to long lasting or sometimes permanent sensory-motor impairments. Aim of this study was to determine feasibility and efficacy of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) on upper limb function in patients with peripheral nerve injuries. Subjects and In a clinical trial، a convenience sample of 7 patients with median and ulnar nerve injuries (5 men، 2 women; mean age: 28 years) were measured. Following screening and signing informed consent، patients received an intensive practice program for 1. 5 hours daily، 5 days per week، during 4-week period while their healthy hand was immobilized using a volar wrist and forearm splint during waking hours. Outcome measures including Semmes Weinstein Monofilaments (SWM)، Nine-hole Peg Test (9-HPT)، and Motor Activity Log (MAL) questionnaire were administered pre، and post، and 4 weeks after the treatment period. Data analysis did not show any changes in touch perception at tip of the fingers in SWM at post-test session; however، affected hand motor performance in 9-HPT and affected hand’s amount of use in activities of daily living according to MAL were significantly improved at the post-test session (P< 0. 01) and this improvement was maintained at the follow up (P> 0. 05). CIMT can be considered as an appropriate technique in rehabilitation program for patients with peripheral nerve injuries.