Question
Can Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) be used with Injuries other than CVA? For example, burns?
Answer
Yes, most definitely. It is really appropriate for anyone who has that learned nonuse phenomenon. The definition for "learned nonuse" is:
reluctance or unwillingness to use the involved limb, prompted by encouragement from clinicians and family to use the uninvolved limb resulting in learning how not to use the involved limb. A learned suppression of movement.
Certainly in burns their arm and hand hurts. It does not move as well, it does not function as well; so the person is going to tend to use the unaffected side, the unburned arm and hand more. Yes you can certainly implement all of these principles mentioned to encourage and force use of that affected upper extremity. Again "force use" is:
requiring a patient to predominantly or exclusively use the impaired upper extremity by immobilizing the less impaired, homologous limb during most waking hours.
However, most of the literature has been done in stroke research, neurological incidents, and in children with cerebral palsy.
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