The long-term progress of multifaceted training for acute stroke patients with upper-extremity hemiplegia:

A case series

Abstract

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has successfully treated upper-extremity movement disorders after stroke, with mid- to long-term results after recovery. However, there are few reports on approaches in the acute phase in Japan, and the long-term prognosis of subjects who underwent intensive exercise including CIMT in the acute phase is unclear. In this study, we performed a complex upper-extremity intensive exercise for two hours a day for acute stroke patients and analyzed the long-term effects. As a result, the upper-extremity function was maintained or improved over a period of one year after the intervention. Intensive exercise of the upper-extremity could have a positive effect on upper-extremity function and use behavior in the even in the acute phase.