A STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BOBATH APPROACH VERSUS CONSTRAINT INDUCED MOVEMENT THERAPY (CIMT) TO IMPROVE THE ARM MOTOR FUNCTION AND THE HAND DEXTERITY FUNCTION IN POST STROKE PATIENTS

Objective: To compare the effects of the Bobath Therapy and Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy on arm motor function and hand dexterity function among stroke patients with a high level of function on the affected side. Materials and Methods: Study has conducted at the Outpatient physiotherapy department of a stroke unit. With a total of 30 patients were conveniently recruited and then randomized to Bobath Concept group and constraint-induced movement therapy group. Intervention included were the Bobath Concept group was treated for 1.5 hours per day during 5 consecutive weekdays for 4 weeks whereas the constraint-induced movement therapy group received training for 2 hours per day during 5 consecutive weekdays for 3 weeks. Outcome measures by the Wolf Motor Function Test, and Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test. Results: The two groups were found to be homogeneous based on demographic variables and baseline measurements. There were no significant differences in Wolf Motor Function Test at post test (p = 0.861) and at follow up (p = 0.395). There is a significant improvement in JTHFT in both the groups with sight better improvement in group B (except writing components post test p=0.752and checkers at post test p=0.197 and follow up p=0.167)) as compared to Group A. Conclusions: Bobath therapy and the Constraint-induced movement therapy have similar efficiencies in improving arm motor function in the paretic arm among stroke patients with a high level of function. Constraint-induced movement therapy seems to be slightly more efficient than the Bobath Concept in improving hand dexterity function.