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Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Children and Youth with Hemiplegic/Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

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Cerebral Palsy

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Abstract

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is a physical rehabilitation approach that can be used for children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). The focus is restraint of the less-affected hand along with intensive practice in daily activities to encourage the use of the more-affected hand with the aim to improve its function. It is one of the most investigated upper-extremity rehabilitation approaches in this population, and there is good evidence of efficacy. This chapter will describe important aspects to consider when implementing CIMT in clinical practice. Various models of the approach will be described, as well as the underlying theories for treatment and supporting evidence. CIMT as well as bimanual training and goal-directed training should be seen as an intensive complement to usual care and other specific needs for children with unilateral CP.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Woman and Child Health, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Ann-Christin Eliasson

  2. Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Andrew M. Gordon

Authors
  1. Ann-Christin Eliasson
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  2. Andrew M. Gordon
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ann-Christin Eliasson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Freeman Miller

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, USA

    Steven Bachrach

  3. Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Nancy Lennon

  4. Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, Programs in Physical Therapy, New York, NY, USA

    Margaret E. O'Neil

Section Editor information

  1. Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Nancy Lennon

  2. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Margaret O'Neil

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Eliasson, AC., Gordon, A.M. (2020). Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Children and Youth with Hemiplegic/Unilateral Cerebral Palsy. In: Miller, F., Bachrach, S., Lennon, N., O'Neil, M.E. (eds) Cerebral Palsy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74558-9_175

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74558-9_175

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-74557-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74558-9

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