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

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation therapists are expected to manage upper extremities difficulties following stroke by using effective treatment approaches. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) facilitates upper extremity functional recovery in patients after stroke; however, in South Africa, its application is not well documented. 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 national professional societies. Data were analysed descriptively and the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to make inferences RESULTS: Of 108 respondents, 49.1% (n=53) were occupational therapists, and 50.9% (n=55) 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 significantly 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 knew about 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 UE impairment in stroke patients managed by therapists.