VECTORS Study: Are We Going in the Right Direction?

Contrary to expectation, high-intensity constraint-induced therapy produced worse outcomes than lower-intensity constraint-induced therapy or conventional therapy when used early after stroke.

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is a novel treatment for poststroke upper-extremity paresis. In CIMT, patients undergo an intensive upper-limb exercise program consisting of repetitive task practice and behavioral shaping while wearing a restraining mitt on the less-affected hand. A previous multicenter controlled study of this technique found evidence of benefit compared with usual care when used 3 to 9 months after stroke (JW Neurol Mar 6 2007).

To determine the efficacy of CIMT initiated even earlier after stroke, the VECTORS researchers compared the efficacy of two different intensities of CIMT with that of conventional rehabilitation in 52 stroke survivors. Treatment was randomized and occurred during inpatient rehabilitation…

Reviewing Author

Joel Stein, MD

VECTORS Study: Are We Going in the Right Direction?

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Reviewing Author