Restoring Hand Strength to Stroke Victims

Ivanhoe Newswire
Wednesday, November 1, 2006; 12:00 AM

By Vivian Richardson, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Stroke victims can significantly improve the function of an affected hand or arm by restraining the limb on their good side.

Researchers from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta report in a new study a rehabilitation technique called constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) could help patients regain use of hands and arms affected by stroke better than other forms of stroke rehabilitation.

Steven Wolf, Ph.D., P.T., from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta told Ivanhoe he hopes the results of this two-year, multicenter trial comparing CIMT to usual care will help get this rehabilitation technique approved by Medicare, allowing more patients to benefit.

CIMT involves use of a mitt or sling to restrain the limb least affected by a stroke. The patient wears this restraint for most of his or her waking hours, forcing them to use their affected arm and hand throughout the day. A therapist also works one-on-one with the patient on specific tasks.

Nearly 85 percent of the 730,000 Americans who suffer a stroke each year will be affected by hemiparesis -- partial paralysis affecting only one side of the body.

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SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Steven L. Wolf, Ph.D., P.T., from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta; The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2006;296:2095-2104