OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) on upper limbs residual dysfunction for infancy with the sequelas of unilateral brachial plexus injury (uBPI). METHODS: Single blind randomized controlled trial of mCIMT versus standard care. An enrolling 31 infants with a uBPI exhibiting residual dysfunction of the affected upper limb for over 6 months was conducted. And functional outcomes pertaining to the affected upper limb were assessed via AMS, GRES, RHS, and MSS at 0, 3, and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: No differences were found in baseline (acquisition phase) AMS, MSS, GRES, or RHS between the control and mCIMT groups (F[1, 14] = 0.062, p = 0.086; F[1, 14] = 0.483, p = 0.499; F[1, 14] = 0.272, p = 0.610; Z = -0.336, p = 7.373). At the 3- and 6-month follow-up time points, AMS, MSS, and GRES scores were significantly improved over baseline in both groups (mCIMT: F[2, 30] = 183.750, 128.614, 110.085, p < 0.05; Control: F[2, 28] = 204.007, 75.246, 51.070, p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between two treatment groups at the 3-month follow-up time point (F[1, 14] = 0.565, p = 0.465; F[1, 14] = 0.228, p = 0.641; F[1, 14] = 0.713, p = 0.413; Z = -0.666, p = 0.505). However, at the 6-month follow-up time point, AMS and MSS scores were significantly improved in the mCIMT group relative to the control group (F[1, 14] = 8.077, p = 0.013; F[1, 14] = 18.692, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: mCIMT may benefit the rehabilitation of residual upper limb dysfunction associated with a uBPI in infants.

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