Knowledge and perception of occupational therapists and physiotherapists on the use of constraint-induced movement therapy for stroke rehabilitation in South Africa.

Abstract

Introduction: Rehabilitation therapists are expected to manage upper extremitiy difficculties following stroke by using effective treatment approaches.  Constrant-induced Movement `Therapy (CIMT) facilitates upper extremity functional recovery in patients after stroke.  However, in South Africa, its application is not well document.

Aim: To assess and compare the knowledge and perception of occupational therapists and physiotherapists on the use of CIMT for stroke rehabilitation in South Africa.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design using a self-administered online questionnaire was distributed via the two professional associations.  Data were analysed descriptively and the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to make inferences. 

Results: Of the 108 respondents, 49.1% (n=53) were occupational therapists, and 50.9% (n=59) were physiotherapists.  A higher level of education (p=0.037) and working specifically with stroke patients (p=0.050) are significantly associated with better CIMT knowledge and perception.  The profession of the participants was not significatly associated with their knowledge and perception of CIMT.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates gaps in the knowledge of CIMT as a treatment technique for upper extremity impairment following stroke.  Although most respondents were  aware of CIMT, improved guidance and knowledge of CIMT are required to remediate knowledge gaps.  This may assist in improving the feasibility of CIMT and thus promote its clinical application, given the prevalence of upper extremity impairment in stroke patients managed by therapists.