A Randomized Controlled Trial of Self-regulated Constraint-induced Movement Therapy to promote functional regain in Subacute Stroke Patients

Self-regulated constraint-induced movement therapy (SR-CIMT) - participants' non-hemiplegic arm was restrained in a mitt for 4 hours every day, 2 weeks, 5 days a week (therapy days) (CIMT) (the same CIMT protocol as in the CIMT group described under 'comparator/control treatment'); participants were taught using the self-regulation (SR) strategy to relearn the tasks; SR strategy involved participants self-reflecting on their abilities and deficits in performing the tasks, identifying problems and solutions in achieving the most independence in the tasks, and then actually carrying out the tasks. There were 10 tasks to practice in total, they included fold laundry, put clothes on hanger, brush teeth, dress upper garment, dress lower garment in week one; and use telephone, prepare a cup of tea, sweep floor, wash towel, wash dishes in week two. In the 4 hours when the participants had their non-hemiplegic arm in the restrain, they received one hour therapist-guided training using SR strategy on task relearning as described above. Therefore, all participants received 10 one-hour therapist-guided training sessions (daily on weekdays, total two weeks). The intervention was delivered by occupational therapist. For the rest of the 3 hours in the restrain, the participants' wearing of the restrain was monitored by the nursing staff in the ward.