CONSTRAINT-INDUCED MOVEMENT THERAPY (CIMT) VS. MIRROR THERAPY (MT) ON HAND FUNCTION AND SPASTICITY IN PATIENTS WITH HEMIPARESIS

Hemiparesis, often resulting from conditions such as stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI), leads to significant impairment in upper limb function and increased spasticity, adversely affecting daily living activities and overall quality of life. Rehabilitation strategies focusing on motor relearning, functional task training, and neuroplastic adaptation are crucial for regaining voluntary control and independence. Among the numerous interventions available, Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and Mirror Therapy (MT) have emerged as two widely researched and clinically applied neurorehabilitation techniques targeting motor recovery in patients with hemiparesis.

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy is based on the principle of "learned non-use," where the unaffected limb is restricted to encourage active use of the affected limb through repetitive, task-specific training. This therapy stimulates cortical reorganization and promotes motor recovery by intensively engaging the paretic limb. In contrast, Mirror Therapy involves the use of a mirror placed in the patient's midline to reflect movements of the unaffected limb, creating a visual illusion that the affected limb is functioning normally. This visual feedback mechanism is believed to activate mirror neurons and support motor relearning through sensory-motor integration.

This study was designed to compare the efficacy of CIMT and Mirror Therapy on improving hand function and reducing spasticity in patients with hemiparesis. The purpose was to determine whether one intervention offers superior functional outcomes or if both are equally beneficial, thereby informing evidence-based rehabilitation practices. A randomized, two-group design was employed to ensure balanced distribution and comparability between the intervention arms.

A total of 68 participants diagnosed with hemiparesis due to either ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or traumatic brain injury were recruited from a rehabilitation center. Inclusion criteria involved patients aged 40-65 years with unilateral upper limb paresis, preserved cognitive function to follow instructions, and the ability to participate in scheduled therapy sessions. Exclusion criteria included individuals with severe cognitive deficits, unhealed fractures, or other orthopedic conditions that could interfere with upper limb training.

Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A received Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy and Group B received Mirror Therapy. Both interventions were carried out over an 8-week period with standardized protocols. CIMT participants wore a mitt or sling on their unaffected limb for several hours each day during therapy to force usage of the affected arm in performing guided, functional tasks. Mirror Therapy participants performed symmetrical bilateral movements while focusing on the reflection of their unaffected arm in the mirror, tricking the brain into perceiving normal movement in the paretic limb.

Outcome measures were recorded at three time points: baseline (pre-intervention), 4th week (mid-intervention), and 8th week (post-intervention). The Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) was used to evaluate motor performance, coordination, and reflexes, serving as a standardized scale for upper limb motor recovery. To assess muscle tone and spasticity, the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was employed. These validated tools allowed objective tracking of motor progress and spasticity changes throughout the intervention.

In addition to the primary outcome measures, the study collected comprehensive demographic and clinical data, including age, gender, diagnosis type, time since diagnosis, education level, employment status, and housing situation. These variables were recorded to assess baseline equivalence between groups and identify any confounding factors that might influence therapy outcomes.

Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics were applied to summarize demographic characteristics and baseline data, including measures of central tendency and dispersion. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to evaluate within-subject changes over time for each outcome measure, while independent t-tests assessed between-group differences at each time point. Tests for normality (Kolmogorov-Smirnov) and sphericity (Mauchly's Test) were performed to validate the assumptions for parametric analysis.

By directly comparing two commonly used interventions within the same clinical framework, this study sought to provide physiotherapists and clinicians with practical insights into selecting the most appropriate, evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for upper limb recovery in patients with hemiparesis. The structured design, standardized outcome measures, and comprehensive statistical analysis aimed to contribute meaningfully to the existing body of neurorehabilitation research.