Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a rehabilitation technique primarily used to improve motor function in individuals who have suffered a stroke or brain injury, particularly when one side of the body is weaker or less functional than the other. The therapy is based on the principle of “forced use,” where the less-affected limb is constrained to encourage the use of the affected limb.
Key Components of CIMT:
- Constraining the Unaffected Limb: The unaffected or less-affected arm or hand is constrained (e.g., using a sling or splint) to prevent its use, forcing the individual to rely on the affected limb.
- Massed Practice: The individual engages in intensive practice of tasks with the affected limb. This typically involves several hours of therapy per day, over a span of two to three weeks.
- Shaping: The therapist uses a method called “shaping,” where small, incremental improvements in the use of the affected limb are reinforced. This encourages the patient to achieve increasingly complex motor tasks with the impaired limb.
- Focus on Function: CIMT targets functional movements that are meaningful to the patient, such as daily activities like eating, dressing, or writing, to improve the overall quality of life.
Goals and Outcomes:
- Neuroplasticity: The therapy leverages the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections (neuroplasticity) to improve motor function and movement patterns in the affected limb.
- Increased Independence: CIMT helps individuals regain the ability to use their affected arm or hand more effectively, promoting greater independence in daily activities.
In summary, CIMT is an intensive, structured approach aimed at improving the use of a weakened limb by constraining the unaffected limb and encouraging the active use of the affected one through repetitive, task-oriented practice.