Neuroplastic changes after Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy: Patients with contralateral cortico-spinal organisation

Objectives: Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) is a promising rehabilitation technique optimizing motor-learning in patients with spastic hemiparesis. Here, we describe neuroplastic effects after two weeks of CIMT in patients with contralateral cortico-spinal (re-)organization. Methods: Seven patients (mean age: 17.7 years) with congenital hemiparesis due to infarction in the middle cerebral artery territory and preserved crossed cortico-spinal projections to the paretic hand (as demonstrated by focal transcranial magnetic stimulation) were included. The Wolf motor function test (WMFT) was used to evalua…