CIMT–A Method That Has Success With the Tutor System

In a study about how Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is effective with Duration of Adherence among Stroke Survivors with Hemiparesis, Olumide Olasunkanmi Dada and Arinola Olasumbo Sanya of the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria discuss their recent study.
The two components of CIMT are the training of the more-impaired arm to perform functional tasks, and the restraint of the less-impaired arm. One of the challenges was that the application of CIMT must assure adherence to the use of the restraint.
A need was established to determine any factors that may influence adherence to CIMT, as this would allow it to be delivered more effectively, and thereby prevent situations where unrealistic expectations are placed on those individuals that are affected by a stroke.
Thirty stroke survivors with hemiparesis were recruited from physiotherapy out-patient clinics. Records were kept during the period they wore the restraint. The information logged was motor function and functional use of the upper limb.
The results showed the influence of socio-economic status. Participants of middle socio-economic status adhered for a longer duration. Age had weak and no significant correlation.
The conclusion drawn was that socio-economic status should be considered when applying CIMT.
The HANDTUTOR specifically has been an effective device to be used together with CIMT. It, together with its sister devices (ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR, 3DTUTOR), aims to increase the amount of use and quality of movement of the weaker arm or limb by following a structured treatment program.
The treatment program works by producing ‘rewiring’ of the brain; this means that a larger part of the brain becomes active when producing movement of the weaker arm. This program is underpinned by several research studies which have proven benefits, particularly for stroke patients and CP patients.
The program involves a number of components, in particular the use of repetitive training practice or repetitive impairment practice. This involves the child or adult doing intensive customized repetitive isolated exercises with the weaker arm arm using the ARMTUTOR and hand using the HANDTUTOR. The exercise practice was customized by the physical and occupational therapist to the patient’s movement ability. The dedicated rehabilitation software provides information on the patient’s performance and corrects the patient in the form of biofeedback when they are not doing the movement correctly. This means that the training practice is customized to the patient’s movement ability regarding their functional ability. The patient can also begin to understand how his limbs are moving as the biofeedback is amplified for movement feedback. Together with a score on how well the patient is performing allows the patient and PT to better understand the intensive and motivating exercise practice. Research has proven that such intensive and repetitive use of the weaker arm over this short period leads to increased use of the weaker arm as well as improved quality of movement. The TUTORS have been used effectively together during CIMT training and therapy and most recently at the Rusk rehabilitation hospital children’s summer camp. The TUTORS are designed to be used by children as well as adults..
The TUTORS are currently being used in leading hospitals and clinics in the U.S. and Europe and are fully certified by the FDA and CE. See WWW.HANDTUTOR.COM for more information.