Health-related quality of life following lower-extremity constraint-induced movement therapy after stroke: an intervention study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to explore potential effects of lower extremity Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (LE-CIMT) on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) after stroke, and the possible influence of descriptive characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty men and 10 women (median age 53 years, IQR 45-59) participated in a single-arm, intervention study at an outpatient physiotherapy clinic. Participants underwent intensive, task-specific LE-CIMT for 6 h/day over 10 consecutive weekdays, followed by a home-exercise program until a 3-month follow-up. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire, and motor function was evaluated with part of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, 10-Meter Walk Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, and Timed Up and Go. Assessments were performed pre-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: The SF-36 response rate was 50%. HRQoL improved significantly in the Physical Functioning (median change 10, IQR 5-15, p < 0.001, ES 0.75) and Vitality domains median change 5 (IQR 0-20, p = 0.013, ES 0.46). A negative correlation was observed between time from stroke to LE-CIMT and improvement in Physical Functioning (r S = -0.456, p = 0.013), but not the Vitality domain. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that LE-CIMT may be associated to improvements in HRQoL, particularly in the Physical Functioning and Vitality domains after stroke. Earlier initiation of intervention appears beneficial. These findings need to be validated in randomized controlled trials.