Guest Blog: What is Constraint Induced Movement Therapy?
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)
What is CIMT?
Pediatric CIMT is an intensive program for children who have been diagnosed with Brachial Plexus injuries, Erbs Palsy, hemiplegia, and Cerebral Palsy. The common factor in these diagnoses is that in some cases, children present with decreased functional movement of one or both upper extremities. Children may learn to use the stronger upper extremity to engage in school, self-care, and play activities, and at times neglect using their affected upper extremity because it is harder to move. We call this learned “non-use”. When the affected extremity is not used as often as the stronger one, it often leads to decreased range of motion, strength, and functional use during all activities that kids preform. CIMT focuses on repetition of movements with the affected arm while the stronger upper extremity is casted, as it allows for re-education the brain and muscles to activate and facilitate movement patterns that have been affected.
What Does the Program Consist Of?
The CIMT program is an intensive program with completion time of three weeks. The first session consists of casting the child’s unaffected arm/hand. The cast can be removed at any time, however it is usually advised for cast to come off only if absolutely necessary during the first two weeks of the program. Occupational therapists work with the child and parents for up to five days of the week on specific tasks according to the child’s needs.
The overall goal of constrained induced movement therapy in occupational therapy is for children to utilize both upper extremities during tasks such as:
Dressing
Cutting with scissors while stabilizing paper
Holding cup with both hands
Tying shoes
Grasping a baseball bat with both hands
After two weeks of intensive therapy utilizing only the affected upper extremity; the cast comes off and the child’s therapy sessions are focused on completing activities with both hands. This is done in order for the brain to recognize patterns and movements completed with both upper extremities. A child is determined to be a candidate for CIMT by being evaluated by an occupational therapist who has received training in the program.
For more questions or information contact our guest blogger:
Jennifer Martinez, MS, OTR/L
Jennifer.Martinez@adventhealth.com
Alysha Stoner, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
alysha@collaborativecorner.org