Course Description:

Constraint Induced Therapy, also known as Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), is an innovative and research supported method of upper and lower extremity rehabilitation following a stroke or other central nervous system damage. CIMT is most commonly used with the diagnoses of stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy (when hemiparesis is present), and multiple sclerosis, though the program can have implications with other diagnoses. Upper extremity function is decreased in approximately 80% of clients who have had a stroke, which causes difficulties in the performance in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), work, or leisure activities (Kim and Chang, 2018). CIMT is a very time intensive therapeutic program but can have significant positive outcomes when specific guidelines are followed, even many years after the neurologic insult occurs. CIMT was first developed almost 3 decades ago and continues to grow in popularity as a treatment program for Occupational and Physical therapists. This course will focus on the use of CIMT to regain upper extremity motor function for individuals with acute and chronic neurologic conditions, though the criteria and protocols are similar for lower extremity deficits.