Childrens of Alabama Constraint-Induced Movement therapy, or CI Therapy, is a family of treatments that teach the brain to “rewire” itself. CI Therapy is effective in children who have limited use of one side of their body due to diagnoses such as: cerebral palsy, stroke, head injury and brachial plexus injury. The program in Alabama is under the scientific direction of Dr. Edward Taub.

Cleveland Clinic Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), is an innovative, scientifically supported method of upper extremity rehabilitation for children with neuromotor impairments. CIMT is gaining increased support and emerging as a best practice in the treatment of children with hemiplegia. CIMT involves constraint of the non-affected upper extremity in combination with intensive therapy.

John Hopkins A specially trained OT will create a treatment plan specific to each child’s needs. The higher functioning arm is put in a temporary cast to allow the affected arm to perform activities & exercises. These therapeutic “shaping” activities allow the child to form new and more correct movements with that arm and increase its use for function. The program is currently located at our Main Campus location and includes three-hour sessions, five days a week, for three weeks. Additionally, caregivers will perform extensive home exercises daily as instructed by the OT.

Kennedy Krieger Institute The Constraint Induced and Bimanual Therapy Program consists of one to three hours of therapy per day for approximately four weeks to improve functioning of the more involved upper extremity. During this time, the non-affected upper limb is placed in a cast that goes from above the elbow to the fingertips for the duration of the treatments. The cast is carefully monitored by therapists, family and nursing staff for proper circulation and skin integrity. It is made in a way that it can be easily removed if necessary.