Definition
Constraint induced therapy (CIT), or more commonly termed constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT), is a neurorehabilitation technique used primarily following stroke, in order to improve functional use of the neurologically weaker upper extremity (Etoom et al. 2016; Fritz et al. 2012; Taub and Uswatte 2006). CIMT typically involves the restraint of an unaffected upper extremity combined with intensive practice with the affected extremity (Kwakkel et al. 2015; Taub and Uswatte 2006). There are a number of excellent reviews and meta-analyses that have recently been published (see “References”).
Historical Background
CIMT was first documented in 1909 by Munk in nonhuman primates (Munk 1909, as cited in Kwakkel et al. 2015). It was observed that animals avoided use of their affected limb unless the unaffected limb was restrained (Fritz et al. 2012; Taub and Uswatte 2006). This idea was then applied to patients with hemiplegia following stroke (Taub and Uswatte 2006)....
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Borza, C., Mrazik, M., Hrabok, M. (2018). Constraint Induced Therapy. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1087
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