J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol., 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/jfmk8010004 · Published: December 22, 2022
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a rehabilitation approach, but the reasons for its success are not fully understood. This study explores how CIMT, specifically the 'Shaping' exercise, influences movement patterns in patients with spinal cord injuries. The research examines if the way patients explore different movements during the Shaping exercise can explain the therapy's positive results. It looks at how patients adjust their movements within a single attempt and between multiple attempts. The study analyzes data from patients performing a step exercise, focusing on foot placement. It investigates how they modulate their movements, particularly foot height, and how they adapt when the step height is changed, suggesting that Shaping encourages movement exploration.
The study suggests that rehabilitation strategies should focus on encouraging exploration of different movement patterns to improve functional outcomes.
Tailoring the difficulty of exercises based on individual capabilities, as demonstrated by the use of the Rating of Perceived Challenge (RCP) scale, can enhance the effectiveness of therapy.
The findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying motor learning and adaptation in patients with neurological injuries.