The influence of neuropsychological characteristics on the use of CI therapy with persons with traumatic brain injury.

The great prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its high economic costs make reducing TBI-related disability a national health care priority. In our research laboratory, CI therapy has been found to significantly improve upper extremity function for persons with chronic TBI. The results have suggested that persons with TBI are less likely to adhere to critical components of the CI therapy protocol than participants with stroke in other studies.

Constraint-induced movement therapy for recovery of upper-limb function following traumatic brain injury.

A volunteer sample of 22 participants with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) (onset >1 year) and relative hemiplegia that revealed moderate disability in the more-affected upper limb (UL) participated. Constraint-induced (CI) movement therapy (CI therapy) was employed for a 2-week period; treatments included massed practice, shaping of the more-affected UL, behavioral contracts, and other behavioral techniques for affecting transfer to a real-world setting. We used the Wolf Motor Function Test, the Fugl-Meyer Motor Performance Assessment, and the Motor Activity Log to measure outcomes.