CIMT

(CIMT or CIT) is a two or three-week intensive rehabilitation programme designed to ‘rewire the brain’ and enable improved use of the affected limb in day-to-day activities.

Intensive, effective neuro rehabilitation

NeuroPhysio is one of the few Neurological Physiotherapy companies in the country to offer this evidence-based approach to neuro rehab.

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT or CIT) is a two or three-week intensive rehabilitation programme designed to ‘rewire the brain’ and enable improved use of the affected limb in day-to-day activities.

NeuroPhysio is one of the few Neurological Physiotherapy companies in the country to offer this evidence-based approach to neuro rehab, having completed training at the home of CIMT, The Taub Therapy Clinic at The University of Alabama.

What is CIMT?

At NeuroPhysio we think of it as sending your stronger side on holiday and putting your weaker side and brain on a boot camp.

Constraint induced movement therapy is designed to improve the real-world use of a person’s affected arm, hand, or leg. It’s a structured programme of exercises and tasks which differs from conventional neurological rehabilitation in several ways, including the intensity, frequency and duration of treatment.

Most importantly, behavioural techniques are used in conjunction with task practice activities to transfer the improved use of the affected limb into the real-world.

 

How does constraint induced movement therapy work?

Learned non-use is thought to develop following a change in the nervous system resulting in a lack of movement in one side (hemiplegia). 

This leads to a reduction in movement and unsuccessful attempts at movement. Compensatory movement strategies, whilst useful at times, can lead to the less effective behaviour being reinforced.

With less movement and little success in movement the brain area responsible for the affected body part contracts and the person can often become disillusioned with using the weaker side at all.  This suppression and masking of the more effortful movement is what leads to learned non-use and the person stopping using the weaker side, even if there is further recovery of movement.

The great news is that this process is reversable with intensive neuro rehabilitation.

CIMT

NeuroPhysio CIMT Programme Specifics.

The Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Programmes at NeuroPhysio are based on those used at The University of Alabama (USA) where CIMT originated and where we completed our training to prescribe CIMT.

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Two and three-week programmes.

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3.5 hours, 1:1 training with a neuro physio per day, 5 days a week.

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Intensive practice of prescribed exercises to improve the weaker side.

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High repetition programmes (apr 250/hour).

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Follow up after the programme to ensure gains are maintained.

 

Conditions Treated with CIMT:

At NeuroPhysio we use CIMT to help people following a stroke and traumatic brain injuries.

Because the CIMT programme involves intensive, repetitive practice of movements, our neuro physios are careful to assess who will benefit. A constraint induced movement therapy programme requires commitment and hard work!

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“Constrain to Regain” with a NeuroPhysio CIMT Programme”.

Testimonials

See what our customers have to say about us…

I've been working with James to help me regain mobility in the right side of my body for the last 2 years after a burst aneurysm and stroke in 2015. They are brilliant and are very understanding of your needs and difficulties. I'm so glad I found them.

Claire W