Helping Children Regain Movement

Constraint-Induced Therapy

Constraint-induced therapy (CIT) is designed to help children with weakness is one arm caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy or stroke. 

CIT, which is offered through the Kluge Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, is the only rehabilitation technique shown to help children significantly improve brain organization and hand function.

How Does CIT Work?

A child’s stronger arm is immobilized to provide more opportunities to use the weaker arm. An occupational therapist guides the weaker arm during play sessions as well as during everyday activities like feeding and getting dressed. This helps the weaker arm grow stronger.

Children younger than 15 receive several hours of therapy per day for four weeks, while children 15 and older receive several hours of therapy each day for two weeks.

CIT is most effective when performed in a home-like setting, so families that don’t live in or near Charlottesville are asked to find a hotel or other lodging in the area (our staff can help you find a place to stay).

During the program, our occupational therapists also work with the child’s family and a therapist close to home to develop an ongoing plan to build on the progress. The goal is to produce substantially better movement and use of the weaker arm.

Who Benefits From CIT?

Children ages 3 to 21 with weakness in one arm caused by:

• Cerebral palsy
• Stroke
• Brain injury
• Other neurological conditions

Why Come to UVA for CIT?

Our occupational therapists specialize in pediatric rehabilitation and have extensive training in CIT from the experts that developed the program at the University of Alabama.