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CIMT
Constrained induced movement therapy
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a rehabilitation technique used primarily in the treatment of motor deficits resulting from conditions such as stroke, cerebral palsy, or traumatic brain injury. CIMT involves constraining the movement of the unaffected limb while intensively training the affected limb. By restricting the use of the unaffected limb, CIMT encourages the brain to rewire and relearn motor skills, promoting functional improvement in the affected limb. Our team has many years of experience in providing CIMT to hemiplegia patient's.
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CIMT was developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Edward Taub and his colleagues at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, initially for adults with stroke-induced hemiparesis. Later, its application was extended to children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The evidence supporting the effectiveness of CIMT in children has been derived from various research studies conducted in paediatric rehabilitation centres worldwide. These studies have typically involved controlled trials comparing CIMT with conventional therapy or no treatment, demonstrating significant improvements in motor function, activities of daily living, and neuroplastic changes in the brain associated with CIMT interventions.
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CIMT is available for both adults and childern.
How CIMT can help
Our team has many years of experience providing CIMT to patients. A removeable cast is applied to the patient's weaker side, to promote focused rehabilitation to the affected side. By immobilizing the stronger limb, typically through casting, CIMT encourages individuals to engage actively with the weaker limb during therapy sessions. This intensive and repetitive use of the affected limb helps stimulate neural pathways, promoting motor learning and functional recovery. Additionally, casting the stronger side helps prevent reliance on compensatory movements, encouraging individuals to challenge themselves and maximize their potential for improvement. Overall, casting the weaker side in CIMT programs facilitates targeted rehabilitation, leading to enhanced motor function and greater independence in daily activities.
At the National Physio, we bring this intensive treatment option to you. Our mobile CIMT program brings expert therapy directly to you, eliminating the need for travel or inconvenience. Whether you prefer the familiarity of your home environment or have mobility limitations that make clinic visits challenging, our hemiplegic specialists will work with you to develop a personalized CIMT program tailored to your needs and goals. With our flexible scheduling and convenient home-based sessions, you can receive the therapy you need without disruption to your daily routine. Trust us to bring quality CIMT services to your doorstep, helping you achieve lasting improvements in motor function and quality of life.
Information about Paediatric CIMT
Who is suitable for CIMT?
Children with hemiplegia or hemiparesis resulting from conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, or traumatic brain injury are suitable candidates for Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT). Additionally, CIMT may benefit children with other neurological conditions causing unilateral motor deficits. Generally, CIMT is recommended for children who have some voluntary movement in the affected limb and are motivated to participate in intensive therapy sessions. However, suitability for CIMT is determined on a case-by-case basis by our professionals, considering factors such as age, cognitive abilities, and overall health status.
Why is casting the weaker arm beneficial?
Children experiencing hand and arm weakness due to neurological impairment often adopt compensatory techniques from an early age. Utilizing the weaker arm proves challenging or ineffective, while the stronger arm enables them to accomplish tasks effectively. Consequently, as the child develops and gets older, they favour their dominant side, with limited opportunities for stimulation or engagement of the weaker side in functional activities. Due to the increased strength in the dominant side, everyday tasks such as dressing, eating and generalised movement are completed in the absence of the weaker side.
In our CIMT programmes, we cast the child's stronger arm in a light-weight cast to reroute the patient's attention to utilizing the use of their weaker side of the body. Restricting the use of the stronger arm compels the child to rely more on the weaker arm during therapy sessions. This focused and intensive use of the weaker limb helps stimulate neural pathways and promotes motor learning and functional improvement.
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Why is doing at a younger age better?
Engaging in Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) at a younger age offers several advantages for children with neurological impairments. Firstly, younger brains tend to exhibit greater plasticity, meaning they are more adaptable and responsive to therapeutic interventions. This increased neuroplasticity enhances the potential for neural rewiring and functional recovery following CIMT. Secondly, starting CIMT early allows for the establishment of more efficient motor patterns and skills, potentially mitigating the development of compensatory strategies that may impede progress later in life. Additionally, younger children often have higher levels of motivation and enthusiasm for engaging in therapeutic activities, which can contribute to more successful outcomes with CIMT. Overall, initiating CIMT at a younger age maximizes the therapeutic window of opportunity and optimizes the potential for long-term functional gains and improved quality of life.
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Why us (e.g travel the world to do CIMT)?
At The National Physio, we understand the importance of accessibility and convenience when it comes to rehabilitation, which is why we're proud to offer Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) services that can be delivered directly to you, wherever you are in the world. Whether it's in the comfort of your own home, at a care facility, or any other convenient location, our team is dedicated to bringing the benefits of CIMT to your doorstep. By providing mobile CIMT sessions, we ensure that you or your child can receive the therapy you need without the hassle of traveling to a clinic, taking time off work and interrupting daily activities. Our experienced therapists will work with you to create a personalized CIMT program tailored to your specific needs and goals, helping you achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in motor function and quality of life. With The National Physio, CIMT is more accessible and convenient than ever before, offering an option that brings therapy to you.
Do the results of these programmes last forever?
The long-term effects of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) can be significant and enduring. Research suggests that CIMT not only improves motor function in the short term but also leads to sustained gains over time. By promoting neuroplasticity, CIMT helps rewire the brain, facilitating lasting improvements in movement, coordination, and functional independence. Additionally, CIMT can prevent or minimize the development of compensatory strategies, leading to more efficient and effective use of the affected limb in daily activities. Furthermore, the benefits of CIMT extend beyond physical function, often resulting in improved quality of life and enhanced participation in social and recreational activities.
It is not unusual for certain improvements to gradually diminish over time, especially as a child progresses in development and encounters the need to acquire new skills. Studies have indicated that the benefits of CIMT typically endure, as evidenced by follow-up investigations conducted 6 months to 2 years post-program completion. Crucially, the neurological alterations induced by CIMT have also demonstrated long-lasting effects, reinforced by further treatment.