CarePartners Outpatient Services: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)
It was once believed that a stroke survivor could make no more improvements in ability after one year had passed. Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy proves that theory wrong. Even those who had a stroke several years ago can build strength and regain function.
Stroke survivors demonstrate impressive results with CIMT.
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy is designed to help stroke survivors who have not regained the use of their hand and arm weakened by stroke. This behavioral technique helps survivors “re-wire” the brain and learn to reuse the affected side.
Research conducted at the University of Alabama and carried out through a national clinical trial proved that CIMT helped people who experienced a stroke 20 years ago or longer regain varying amounts of upper extremity function.
Intensive outpatient therapy, every day for two weeks.
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, also called “forced use,” is offered through CarePartners Outpatient Rehabilitation. The two-week program, guided by a CIMT-trained therapist, includes daily intensive rehabilitation sessions of three and a half hours each. The program participant must wear a padded mitt on the stronger extremity, forcing use of the weaker extremity. The mitt is worn 90 percent of the patient's waking hours. Both the Main Campus and South Clinic offer CIMT.
While the amount of improvement will vary for each patient, a remarkable number of patients will show a substantial increase in the functional use of their affected limb.
Is Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy right for you?
Criteria for admission into the CIMT Program include the following, in addition to a telephone questionnaire:
Note: CIMT is not currently reimbursed by Medicare or private insurance. Payment is “out of pocket” and due prior to completion of program.
Call CarePartners Outpatient Center at (828) 274-6179 to make an appointment with a CarePartners CIMT-certified therapist for a phone questionnaire. This questionnaire will help determine whether you can benefit from Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy.
Stroke survivors demonstrate impressive results with CIMT.
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy is designed to help stroke survivors who have not regained the use of their hand and arm weakened by stroke. This behavioral technique helps survivors “re-wire” the brain and learn to reuse the affected side.
Research conducted at the University of Alabama and carried out through a national clinical trial proved that CIMT helped people who experienced a stroke 20 years ago or longer regain varying amounts of upper extremity function.
Intensive outpatient therapy, every day for two weeks.
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, also called “forced use,” is offered through CarePartners Outpatient Rehabilitation. The two-week program, guided by a CIMT-trained therapist, includes daily intensive rehabilitation sessions of three and a half hours each. The program participant must wear a padded mitt on the stronger extremity, forcing use of the weaker extremity. The mitt is worn 90 percent of the patient's waking hours. Both the Main Campus and South Clinic offer CIMT.
While the amount of improvement will vary for each patient, a remarkable number of patients will show a substantial increase in the functional use of their affected limb.
Is Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy right for you?
Criteria for admission into the CIMT Program include the following, in addition to a telephone questionnaire:
- Must have had the stroke at least six months prior to starting this program (otherwise unlimited time frame and no age limit).
- Cannot have had bilateral strokes.
- Some shoulder/elbow/wrist/finger movement of affected arm.
- Ability to stand, transfer, walk, propel wheelchair without assistance from someone else.
- Ability to follow instructions.
- No major cognitive or memory deficits.
- No major problems with pain.
- No major hearing or visual deficits.
Note: CIMT is not currently reimbursed by Medicare or private insurance. Payment is “out of pocket” and due prior to completion of program.
Call CarePartners Outpatient Center at (828) 274-6179 to make an appointment with a CarePartners CIMT-certified therapist for a phone questionnaire. This questionnaire will help determine whether you can benefit from Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy.