(Update, January 2007)

In 2000, the Internet Stroke Center received many inquiries after news reports about a then-new stroke treatment called constraint-induced movement therapy.

Constraint-Induced (CI) Movement Therapy (also known as Forced-Use Therapy).  involves intensive training of the weak (stroke-affected) arm over about two weeks, while leaving the strong arm in a sling for much of each day.  Positive results have been reported in animal models and in studies with small groups of patients. 

Since then, many trials and studies have assessed this new therapy. The news about CI Therapy is encouraging.  However, this treatment will be considered experimental until it has been proven to be effective in large, well controlled research trials.  Such trials are beginning in the United States and should be completed in the next year or two. 

Is CI Therapy available at Washington University?  Scientists here are involved in both basic science and clinical research on stroke recovery.   A randomized, controlled trial of CI Therapy for stroke survivors will be conducted here, under the direction of Dr. Alexander Dromerick.  However, this trial is not open for patient enrolment, and CI Therapy is not offered here for clinical use at this time.

Finding effective therapy for stroke survivors is a major goal for all who are concerned with this disease.  Hopefully we will be able to report positive results before very long!

Clinical Trial Information:

• Stroke Recovery Therapies: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
• Ongoing Clinical Trials:
  • Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy after Subacute Stroke
  • EXCITe -- Extremity Constraint-Induced Therapy
  • VECTORS -- Very Early Constraint-Induced Treatment for Recovery of Stroke

Links about Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy:

• Recent research articles on Constraint-Induced Therapy in PubMed
• Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Online
  From the Stroke Information Directory: links to full text papers and abstracts. Includes virtually every piece written on the subject.
• Recent Articles:
  • Dromerick AW, Edwards DF, Hahn M. Does the Application of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy During Acute Rehabilitation Reduce Arm Impairment After Ischemic Stroke?  Stroke. 2000 Dec; 31:2984-2988.
    • Abstract (from National Library of Medicine PubMed)
    • Journal Article (access may be restricted)
  • Liepert J, Bauder H, Miltner WH, Taub E, Weiller C. Treatment-induced cortical reorganization after stroke in humans.  Stroke 2000 Jun;31(6):1210-6.
    • Abstract (from National Library of Medicine PubMed)
    • Journal Article (access may be restricted)
• Press release from the American Heart Association
• News reports:
  • New technique helps stroke patients regain arm movement - (Doctor's Guide)
  • Researchers find rehab technique helps stroke patients regain movement - (CNN)
• Taub Therapy Clinic
  Dr. Edward Taub; University of Alabama Birmingham Health System
• Review article (scientific): Edward Taub, PhD; Gitendra Uswatte, MA; Rama Pidikiti, MD.  Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy: A New Family of Techniques with Broad Application to Physical Rehabilitation--A Clinical Review.  Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development Vol. 36 No. 3, July 1999