{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T11:08:53Z","timestamp":1788952133933,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":57,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788912000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Neurol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The aim of this study was to explore potential effects of lower extremity Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (LE-CIMT) on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) after stroke, and the possible influence of descriptive characteristics.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Materials and methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Twenty men and 10 women (median age 53\u202fyears, IQR 45\u201359) participated in a single-arm, intervention study at an outpatient physiotherapy clinic. Participants underwent intensive, task-specific LE-CIMT for 6\u202fh\/day over 10 consecutive weekdays, followed by a home-exercise program until a 3-month follow-up. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire, and motor function was evaluated with part of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, 10-Meter Walk Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, and Timed Up and Go. Assessments were performed pre-intervention and at 3-month follow-up.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      The SF-36 response rate was 50%. HRQoL improved significantly in the Physical Functioning (median change 10, IQR 5\u201315,\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f&amp;lt;\u202f0.001, ES 0.75) and Vitality domains median change 5 (IQR 0\u201320,\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f=\u202f0.013, ES 0.46). A negative correlation was observed between time from stroke to LE-CIMT and improvement in Physical Functioning (\n                      <jats:italic>r<\/jats:italic>\n                      <jats:sub>S<\/jats:sub>\n                      \u202f=\u202f\u22120.456,\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f=\u202f0.013), but not the Vitality domain.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Our findings suggest that LE-CIMT may be associated to improvements in HRQoL, particularly in the Physical Functioning and Vitality domains after stroke. Earlier initiation of intervention appears beneficial. These findings need to be validated in randomized controlled trials.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2026.1826682","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T10:11:57Z","timestamp":1788948717000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Health-related quality of life following lower-extremity constraint-induced movement therapy after stroke: an intervention study"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Ther\u00e9se","family":"Br\u00e4ndstr\u00f6m","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine, Ume\u00e5 University","place":["Ume\u00e5, Sweden"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Annika","family":"Sefastsson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine, Ume\u00e5 University","place":["Ume\u00e5, Sweden"]},{"name":"Liljeholmskliniken","place":["Stockholm, Sweden"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"H\u00e5kan","family":"Littbrand","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatric Medicine, Ume\u00e5 University","place":["Ume\u00e5, Sweden"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Per","family":"Wester","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Ume\u00e5 University","place":["Ume\u00e5, Sweden"]},{"name":"Department of Clinical Science, Karolinska Institute Danderyd Hospital","place":["Stockholm, Sweden"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Britt-Marie","family":"St\u00e5lnacke","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine, Ume\u00e5 University","place":["Ume\u00e5, Sweden"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ann","family":"S\u00f6rlin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Community Medicine and Rehabiliation, Ume\u00e5 University","place":["Ume\u00e5, Sweden"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xiaolei","family":"Hu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine, Ume\u00e5 University","place":["Ume\u00e5, Sweden"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"795","DOI":"10.1016\/s1474-4422(21)00252-0","article-title":"Global, regional, and national burden of stroke and its risk factors, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2019","volume":"20","year":"1990","journal-title":"Lancet Neurol"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"208","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0038-1649503","article-title":"Global burden of stroke","volume":"38","author":"Katan","year":"2018","journal-title":"Semin Neurol"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1035","DOI":"10.1053\/apmr.2002.33984","article-title":"Activity, participation, and quality of life 6 months poststroke","volume":"83","author":"Mayo","year":"2002","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"48","DOI":"10.2340\/16501977-0287","article-title":"Quality of life among Swedish patients after stroke: psychometric evaluation of SF-36","volume":"41","author":"Almborg","year":"2009","journal-title":"J Rehabil Med"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"319","DOI":"10.1016\/S0020-7489(00)00066-3","article-title":"Measuring stroke patients' health status in the early post-stroke phase using the SF36","volume":"38","author":"Bugge","year":"2001","journal-title":"Int J Nurs Stud"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"584","DOI":"10.1186\/s12877-023-04308-z","article-title":"Health-related quality of life in stroke survivors: a 5-year follow-up of the fall study of Gothenburg (FallsGOT)","volume":"23","author":"Segerdahl","year":"2023","journal-title":"BMC Geriatr"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0211493","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0211493","article-title":"Health-related quality of life loss associated with first-time stroke","volume":"14","author":"Yeoh","year":"2019","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"ref8","first-page":"237","article-title":"Constraint-induced movement therapy: a new family of techniques with broad application to physical rehabilitation--a clinical review","volume":"36","author":"Taub","year":"1999","journal-title":"J Rehabil Res Dev"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.1310\/BLJX-M89N-PTPY-JDKW","article-title":"Constraint-induced therapy approach to restoring function after neurological injury","volume":"8","author":"Morris","year":"2001","journal-title":"Top Stroke Rehabil"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e100","DOI":"10.1161\/01.STR.0000180861.54180.FF","article-title":"Management of Adult Stroke Rehabilitation Care","volume":"36","author":"Duncan","year":"2005","journal-title":"Stroke"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e87987","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0087987","article-title":"What is the evidence for physical therapy poststroke? A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"9","author":"Veerbeek","year":"2014","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"425","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1747-4949.2011.00646.x","article-title":"Constraint-induced movement therapy for the upper paretic limb in acute or sub-acute stroke: a systematic review","volume":"6","author":"Nijland","year":"2011","journal-title":"Int J Stroke"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"880","DOI":"10.1177\/23969873231191304","article-title":"Motor rehabilitation after stroke: European stroke organisation (ESO) consensus-based definition and guiding framework","volume":"8","author":"Kwakkel","year":"2023","journal-title":"Eur Stroke J"},{"key":"ref14","volume-title":"Nationella Riktlinjer f\u00f6r V\u00e5rd Vid Stroke - St\u00f6d f\u00f6r Styrning och Ledning","year":"2020"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"698","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/pzz191","article-title":"Constraint-induced movement therapy for lower extremity function: describing the LE-CIMT protocol","volume":"100","author":"Dos Anjos","year":"2020","journal-title":"Phys Ther"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0323290","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0323290","article-title":"Post-stroke health-related quality of life following lower-extremity constraint-induced movement therapy - an observational survey study","volume":"20","author":"Marklund","year":"2025","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"713","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2017.12.007","article-title":"Do performance measures of strength, balance, and mobility predict quality of life and community reintegration after stroke?","volume":"99","author":"Cohen","year":"2018","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"135","DOI":"10.1080\/02699050801895423","article-title":"Exercise and health-related quality of life during the first year following acute stroke. A randomized controlled trial","volume":"22","author":"Langhammer","year":"2008","journal-title":"Brain Inj"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"136","DOI":"10.23736\/S1973-9087.23.07683-9","article-title":"Lower-extremity constraint-induced movement therapy improved motor function, mobility, and walking after stroke","volume":"59","author":"Marklund","year":"2023","journal-title":"Eur J Phys Rehabil Med"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"jrm24168","DOI":"10.2340\/jrm.v56.24168","article-title":"Positive effects of lower extremity constraint-induced movement therapy on balance, leg strength and dual-task ability in stroke patients: a longitudinal cohort study","volume":"56","author":"Sefastsson","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Rehabil Med"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"559","DOI":"10.1080\/02699052.2024.2328808","article-title":"Improvement of gait and balance function in chronic post-stroke patients induced by lower extremity - constraint induced movement therapy: a randomized controlled clinical trial","volume":"38","author":"Menezes-Oliveira","year":"2024","journal-title":"Brain Inj"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1028206","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2022.1028206","article-title":"Effect of constraint-induced movement therapy on lower extremity motor dysfunction in post-stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"13","author":"Zhou","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2021.638904","article-title":"Effects of lower limb constraint induced movement therapy in people with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"12","author":"Abdullahi","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1160","DOI":"10.1177\/23969873251338142","article-title":"European stroke organisation (ESO) guideline on motor rehabilitation","volume":"10","author":"Alt Murphy","year":"2025","journal-title":"Eur Stroke J"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1639840","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2025.1639840","article-title":"Constraint-induced movement therapy reduced shoulder pain and improved function in subacute and chronic stroke: a cohort study","volume":"16","author":"Sefastsson","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"281","DOI":"10.1901\/jeab.1994.61-281","article-title":"An operant approach to rehabilitation medicine: overcoming learned nonuse by shaping","volume":"61","author":"Taub","year":"1994","journal-title":"J Exp Anal Behav"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1812","DOI":"10.1161\/01.STR.27.10.1812","article-title":"Validation of the short form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire among stroke patients","volume":"27","author":"Anderson","year":"1996","journal-title":"Stroke"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.1161\/01.STR.29.1.63","article-title":"Qualitative comparison of the reliability of health status assessments with the EuroQol and SF-36 questionnaires after stroke","volume":"29","author":"Dorman","year":"1998","journal-title":"Stroke"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3130","DOI":"10.1097\/00007632-200012150-00008","article-title":"SF-36 health survey update","volume":"25","author":"Ware","year":"2000","journal-title":"Spine"},{"key":"ref30","volume-title":"SF-36 H\u00e4lsoenk\u00e4t: Svensk Manual och Tolkningsguide (Swedish Manual and Interpretation Guide)","author":"Sullivan","year":"2002"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"522","DOI":"10.1080\/10749357.2022.2051830","article-title":"Minimal and robust clinically important difference of three fatigue measures in chronic stroke survivors","volume":"30","author":"Cheraghifard","year":"2023","journal-title":"Top Stroke Rehabil"},{"key":"ref32","volume-title":"SF-36 Physical and Mental Health Summary Scales: A User\u2019s Manual","author":"Ware","year":"1994"},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"030006052110679","DOI":"10.1177\/03000605211067902","article-title":"Estimating the minimal clinically important difference for the physical component summary of the short form 36 for patients with stroke","volume":"49","author":"Fu","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Int Med Res"},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.3109\/03790799009166594","article-title":"Mobility after stroke: reliability of measures of impairment and disability","volume":"12","author":"Collen","year":"1990","journal-title":"Int Disabil Stud"},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1219505","DOI":"10.3389\/fneur.2023.1219505","article-title":"Estimation of minimal detectable change in the 10-meter walking test for patients with stroke: a study stratified by gait speed","volume":"14","author":"Hosoi","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Neurol"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"982","DOI":"10.1161\/01.STR.26.6.982","article-title":"Classification of walking handicap in the stroke population","volume":"26","author":"Perry","year":"1995","journal-title":"Stroke"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/26.1.15","article-title":"Comfortable and maximum walking speed of adults aged 20-79 years: reference values and determinants","volume":"26","author":"Bohannon","year":"1997","journal-title":"Age Ageing"},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"806","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2010.10.033","article-title":"Walkway length, but not turning direction, determines the six-minute walk test distance in individuals with stroke","volume":"92","author":"Ng","year":"2011","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1097\/NPT.0000000000000159","article-title":"Considerations for the selection of time-limited walk tests poststroke: a systematic review of test protocols and measurement properties","volume":"41","author":"Salbach","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Neurol Phys Ther"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.2340\/1650197771331","article-title":"The post-stroke hemiplegic patient. 1. A method for evaluation of physical performance","volume":"7","author":"Fugl-Meyer","year":"1975","journal-title":"Scand J Rehabil Med"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"142","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-5415.1991.tb01616.x","article-title":"The timed \"up & go\": a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons","volume":"39","author":"Podsiadlo","year":"1991","journal-title":"J Am Geriatr Soc"},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2213","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2017.03.008","article-title":"Reliability and validity of the timed up and go test with a motor task in people with chronic stroke","volume":"98","author":"Chan","year":"2017","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1201","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2012.01.014","article-title":"Minimal detectable changes of the Berg balance scale, Fugl-Meyer assessment scale, timed \"up & go\" test, gait speeds, and 2-minute walk test in individuals with chronic stroke with different degrees of ankle plantarflexor tone","volume":"93","author":"Hiengkaew","year":"2012","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12883-018-1146-9","article-title":"Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of three scales for measuring balance in patients with chronic stroke","volume":"18","author":"Alghadir","year":"2018","journal-title":"BMC Neurol"},{"key":"ref45","first-page":"S7","article-title":"Measuring balance in the elderly: validation of an instrument","volume":"83","author":"Berg","year":"1992","journal-title":"Can J Public Health"},{"key":"ref46","first-page":"19","article-title":"The need to report effect size estimates revisited. An overview of some recommended measures of effect size","volume":"1","author":"Tomczak","year":"2014","journal-title":"Trends Sport Sci"},{"key":"ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"155","DOI":"10.1037\/0033-2909.112.1.155","article-title":"A power primer","volume":"112","author":"Cohen","year":"1992","journal-title":"Psychol Bull"},{"key":"ref48","volume-title":"Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences","author":"Cohen","year":"1988"},{"key":"ref49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.21653\/tfrd.406349","article-title":"Efficacy of modified constraint-induced movement therapy for lower extremity in patients with stroke: strength and quality of life outcomes","author":"Acar\u00f6z Candan","year":"2019","journal-title":"Turk Fizyoter Rehabil Derg"},{"key":"ref50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"421","DOI":"10.1589\/jpts.27.421","article-title":"Effect of forced use of the lower extremity on gait performance and mobility of post-acute stroke patients","volume":"27","author":"Yu","year":"2015","journal-title":"J Phys Ther Sci"},{"key":"ref51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"534","DOI":"10.1080\/10749357.2020.1726070","article-title":"Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after stroke: positive relationship between lower extremity and balance recovery","volume":"27","author":"Martino Cinnera","year":"2020","journal-title":"Top Stroke Rehabil"},{"key":"ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"263","DOI":"10.1682\/JRRD.2004.02.0021","article-title":"The social organization in constraint-induced movement therapy","volume":"42","author":"Boylstein","year":"2005","journal-title":"J Rehabil Res Dev"},{"key":"ref53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"134","DOI":"10.3109\/14038190903141048","article-title":"I got knowledge of myself and my prospects for leading an easier life: stroke patients experience of training with lower-limb CIMT","volume":"12","author":"Marklund","year":"2010","journal-title":"Adv Physiother"},{"key":"ref54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"148","DOI":"10.1161\/STROKEAHA.123.046064","article-title":"Effects of physiotherapy interventions for Poststroke fatigue: a systematic review","volume":"56","author":"Alahmari","year":"2025","journal-title":"Stroke"},{"key":"ref55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"945","DOI":"10.1177\/15459683251356975","article-title":"Time post-stroke and upper extremity stroke motor recovery rehabilitation: a meta-analysis","volume":"39","author":"Mehrabi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Neurorehabil Neural Repair"},{"key":"ref56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"741","DOI":"10.1016\/S1474-4422(09)70150-4","article-title":"Motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review","volume":"8","author":"Langhorne","year":"2009","journal-title":"Lancet Neurol"},{"key":"ref57","volume-title":"Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation: Impact on Shoulder Pain, Motor Function, Balance and Health-Related Quality of life","author":"Sefastsson","year":"2025"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Neurology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fneur.2026.1826682\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T10:12:03Z","timestamp":1788948723000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fneur.2026.1826682\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]]},"references-count":57,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fneur.2026.1826682"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fneur.2026.1826682","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-2295"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-2295","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]]},"article-number":"1826682"}}