Effectiveness of modified constraint-induced movement therapy compared with bimanual therapy home programs for infants with hemiplegia: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE. We examined the effectiveness of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) in treating infants with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and compared therapy outcomes with a nonconstraining bimanual therapy (BIM) of equal intensity. METHOD. In a single-blinded randomized controlled trial, 33 infants with hemiplegia (mean corrected age 5 11.1 mo, standard deviation 5 2.2) received either mCIMT (n 5 17) or BIM (n 5 16). Both interventions included home programs encouraging the use of the affected hand during daily 1-hr play sessions for 8 wk. Outcome measures were administered pre- and posttreatment and included the Mini-Assisting Hand Assessment for babies and the Functional Inventory. At baseline, parents also filled out the Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire. RESULTS. Both groups demonstrated a significantly large and equal improvement in hand and gross motor function posttreatment (p < .001) and high treatment compliance. CONCLUSION. mCIMT and BIM are equally effective methods for treating infants with hemiplegia.