To Compare the Efficacy of Modified Constraint Induced Movement Therapy and Task Specific Motor Imagery Technique in Improving Upper Limb Function in Hemiplegic Patients

Background and Objectives: Around 80% of Stroke survivors have motor impairments of the upper limbs that affect their ability to perform activities of daily living and their social participants. Most widely Interventions used for improving upper limb function are Modified constraint induced movement therapy and Task specific motor imagery technique. MCIMT intensively trains the affected limb by restraining the unaffected one, fostering neuroplasticity, while Task-Specific Motor Imagery activates neural circuits through mental rehearsal. There was sufficient evidence on efficacy of both Modified constraints induced movement therapy and Task specific motor imagery technique in improving upper limb function. But there were no comparative studies available between these two protocols and more studies should be done on establishing their effectiveness. Methods: A Quasi Experimental study conducted at KIMS General Hospital, KIMS & RF, Amalapuram, 60 subjects were recruited based on convenient sampling, divided into 2 groups, 30 members in Group A (MCIMT) and 30 members in Group B (TSMIT). For Both the groups interventions were given 1 hour per day ,5 days per week, for 5 weeks. The outcome measure was ACTION RESEARCH ARM TEST (ARAT). Result: Unpaired Paired T test was used to assess the statistical significance between pre and post test scores between groups. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that MCIMT exercise group has more statistical significance than the TSMIT exercise group. Conclusion: Both Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (MCIMT) and Task-Specific Motor Imagery Therapy (TSMIT) effectively improve upper limb function in stroke survivors. However, MCIMT yielded significantly greater functional gains, surpassing the Minimal Clinically Important Difference, indicating not only statistical but also clinically meaningful improvements. These results suggest that MCIMT may be the more effective intervention for enhancing hand function in hemiparetic stroke patients.