CIMT

What is Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)?

CIMT is an activity-based intervention for people with Hemiplegia. The primary aim is to improve bimanual upper limb performance by increasing awareness, strength, dexterity and function of the hand and arm that has been affected by Hemiplegia.

CIMT encourages your child to use their affected hand by specific play and task related activities combined with wearing a mitt or cast on your child’s preferred hand. The mitt or cast can be worn for a short period of time daily or for a number of weeks. Current research on this treatment shows that traditional and modified CIMT programmes can help towards improvement of hand function and achievement of realistic motor goals. By increasing the use of the affected arm during CIMT, it has been shown to strengthen neural connections and increase activity in the part of the brain responsible for movement of the affected body part.

What does participating in a CIMT programme involve?

Following your child’s initial assessment, our physiotherapist will recommend a programme that best meets the needs of your child and family.

CIMT Programmes

All assessments, reports and casting materials are included.

Traditional Programme:
2 weeks of CIMT and 1 week Bimanual Therapy, 3 hours clinic based therapy per day. You will be provided with a complimentary CIMT mitt for ongoing therapy at the end of the block.

Modified Programmes:
We offer various modified CIMT programmes. These programmes may involve a combination of clinic, home and school based therapy. Constraint may be prescribed using a removable mitt or a non-removable cast with an option to purchase a mitt for ongoing therapy at the end of the block.

Modified Programme 1: cast wearing
3 weeks of CIMT, 2 hours clinic based therapy per day with 1 week of Bimanual Therapy, 2 hours clinic based therapy per day.

Modified Programme 2: cast wearing
2 weeks of CIMT, 3 hours clinic based therapy per day with 1 week of Bimanual Therapy, 2 hours clinic based therapy per day.

Modified Programme 3: cast wearing
2 weeks of CIMT, 2 hours clinic based therapy with 1 week Bimanual Therapy, 2 hours clinic based therapy for 1 week
A home exercise program will be designed for 1 hour home based therapy daily.

Modified Programme 4: as per hourly charges
Personalised programmes of clinic and home based therapy, designed for between 2-8 weeks using a removable mitt.