Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

OrbOfConfusion · 06-16-2004, 06:12 AM

My daughter went to Shriner's yesterday and they said she would be a prime candidate for constraint-induced movement therapy. For two weeks she would wear a cast on her left arm and have "fun" therapy four hours a day, causing her to learn to use her weak right arm and hand. Since she is two years old, they say she is in the prime age group for best results.

It seems to be very promising according to the statistics they gave me. And there is nothing painful for my daughter to endure. Everything is fun and games therapy. The only downside is she has to keep a shoulder-to-fingertip cast on continuously for two weeks. Has anyone been through this kind of therapy or been through it with your child?

Thanks,
Melissa

lastramy · 06-16-2004, 06:38 PM

I am 39 with left sided hemiplegia. I can tell you that constraint therapy is a fairly new thing they are trying with Cerebral Palsy patients. My doctor that gives me my botox injections (hes a pediatric doctor) is heading up a program at my hospital. I hear it is very sucessful and they are showing lots of positive results. So far the cast doesn't seem to be that big of a problem according to a couple of articles I have read. You can search on the subject on the net and find some articles to read. I say give it a try!
My botox doc is great so if he thinks it is something useful then I would certainly put my child in the program.

Hope that helps ya! Good luck and keep us posted if you decide to do it.

Lastramy

randadell · 06-16-2004, 10:11 PM

A friend recommended that we take Mark to Shriners. What services have they helped you with? I hope that the therapy works for you guys if you try it. It doesnt sound horrible,research, and if there are no real risks associated with it, give it a try. Good luck!

OrbOfConfusion · 06-18-2004, 10:21 AM

Hi yall,

Lastramy, we are going to try it out. The therapist who suggested CIT is also doing research on the subject at Shriner's and gives seminars. She gave me a copy of her powerpoint presentation on CIT to take home and read over. I understand most of it and it sounds really good. Hopefully I can get my daughter in before September. Has your doc suggested CIT for you?

Randadell, Shriner's is a great place. They showed me how to do therapy at home. They also give us splints, sometimes they have to make them, every six months when we visit. The CIT therapy is proveded free of charge from them. So I would definitly suggest to include Shriner's as part of your son's team of doctors.

The only thing that they did wrong was misdiagnose my daughter. At her first visit there after she turned one, they said she had brachial plexus palsy. They told me cp was ruled out because her hip x-ray was good. So when I took her back Tuesday, they (different doctors) seemed to pay very close attention to her after I told them of her cp diagnosis in February. My daughter has been there four times in almost a year and a half... she has never seen the same doctor or therapist twice. But that's okay, I still think they are good.

Take care,
Melissa

beautifulbaby · 08-09-2004, 01:20 PM

I am hoping to get my daughter into a constraint induced therapy program as well. Could you please let me know which Shriners you went to and who I should contract about the therapy?
Thanks!