Exploring the Intensity, Frequency, and Duration of Pediatric Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Published Research: A Content Analysis.

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) utilizes a behavioral approach to neurorehabilitation involving constraint of an unaffected upper extremity which forces the use of the affected extremity. There is substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of CIMT among both children and adults. The purpose of this study was to explore the frequency, intensity, and duration parameters across the published clinical outcomes related to pediatric CIMT (pCIMT) among children and youth populations. A content analysis approach was used to search the following databases Google Scholar, OT seeker, American Occupational Therapy Association special interest section, Medline, EbscoHost, and Cinhal. A total of 141 studies were identified via the initial search, with 51 studies meeting inclusion criteria. The findings revealed that 100% of the studies included restraint of the non-affected upper extremity, 73% incorporated repetitive task-oriented training, but less than half prescribed home practice strategies. Further, only 34% of the studies reviewed included all three components of CIMT. Outpatient hospital clinics and home-based settings were the most utilized settings for research studies. The mean minutes per session was M = 205.53, SD = 164.99. As part of the plan of care, the duration and frequency of therapy both had similar means (~M = 3.60) and standard deviations (~SD = 1.65). There was a significant variance of hours during (SD = 139.54) and outside of therapy (SD = 130.06). The results of this study, together with other emerging evidence, can assist practitioners in prescribing dosages dependent on the setting, the pediatric client, and their current functional status.

Student Perspectives of Integrated Clinical Practicum Experiences in Physical Therapy Education: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: The goal of this pilot study was to discover students' perspective of clinical practicum experiences utilized for accreditation-required Integrated Clinical Experiences in doctor of physical therapy education. This study aimed to learn how students perceived the value of participating in institution-based clinical practicum experiences and the perceived utility and value of these clinical practicum experiences to their future careers in physical therapy. PROCEDURES: A case study design using an agreement survey followed by randomized semi-structured interviews with a cohort of physical therapy students provided the data to inform investigators of student perspectives regarding clinical practicum experiences. FINDINGS: Students overwhelmingly agreed that practicum adds value to their education and was worth the time spent. Students reflected that practicum was a strength of their education, provided and built upon skills above the didactic curriculum, and improved their ability to perform during full-time clinical education experiences. Students perceived that full-time clinical education experiences would have greater effect on their future career direction than clinical practicum experiences. CONCLUSION: Students perceived that clinical practicum experiences are valuable in their physical therapy education, in preparation for full-time clinical education experiences, and for beginning careers as physical therapists, but do not influence their future career direction.

Exploring the parameters of intensity, frequency, and duration within the constraint induced movement therapy published research: A content analysis.

BACKGROUND: Neurological rehabilitation specialists must determine appropriate dosage, consisting of frequency, intensity, and duration of specified treatments. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to perform a content analysis of the current literature related to dosage (duration, frequency and intensity) for constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in the adult population. METHODS: A content analysis was conducted which yielded 62 scholarly articles. RESULTS: The frequency of CIMT ranged from 1 to 7 days per week with the average frequency being 4.98 days. The duration of CIMT, ranged from 2 to 10 weeks with the average duration 3.14 weeks. All three components of dosage were reported collectively in outcomes studies conducted in inpatient settings and rehabilitation clinics. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide a groundwork for evidence based practice for clinician in the application of CIMT dosage with consideration of settings and CIMT components.