Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
A rehabilitation approach in which the unaffected limb is restrained to force intensive use of the impaired limb, most commonly applied after stroke or brain injury.
Full Definition
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a neurorehabilitation technique that involves restraining the less-affected upper extremity—typically with a mitt or sling—while requiring the patient to perform massed practice with the affected limb. The approach exploits neuroplasticity by overcoming learned non-use through intensive, task-specific training protocols. It is most widely studied in hemiparetic stroke survivors but is also applied in pediatric cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury. Editors should note that 'constraint-induced' is always hyphenated when used as a compound modifier before a noun.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate 'constraint-induced' as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., 'constraint-induced movement therapy'). The acronym CIMT is acceptable on second reference.
In Context
- "The patient completed a two-week constraint-induced movement therapy protocol with documented gains in upper-extremity motor function." — Inpatient rehabilitation progress note
- "Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy was selected over bilateral training given the degree of unilateral deficit." — Clinical trial methods section