PURPOSE: Stroke is one of the most common causes of disability because of functional, cognitive, and psychological issues. Motor deficits in the afflicted upper extremity affect about 50% of stroke survivors. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) on hemiparetic right/left upper limb functions and quality of life (QOL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, controlled and single-blind study, 40 patients were assigned to the rightmCIMT (n = 10), left-mCIMT (n = 10), and control (n = 20). mCIMT was applied 4h/day, 2 weeks, 10 sessions. A conventional rehabilitation program was applied to all patients. Patients were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA), Motor Activity Log (MAL), Stroke Impact Scale (SIS), Box-Block Test (BBT), the number of repetitions in shaping exercises, and the duration of task exercise. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in the FMA of the left-mCIMT group (p = 0.040). Both mCIMT groups showed statistically significant improvements in the MAL-amount of use (AoU) and MAL-quality of use (QoU), the number of repetitions in the shaping exercises, and the BBT (p < 0.05). The activity of daily living, hand function, and stroke recovery domains of the SIS were increased significantly in both groups (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant increase in the strength domain of the SIS in the left-CIMT group (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: mCIMT was effective in improving motor functions, dexterity, and QOL in patients with right/left arm paresis. These positive effects continued for 3 months. Although left mCIMT had a positive effect on arm motor impairment, further research is needed.

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