Constraint-Induced Therapy (CI Therapy)
What is CI Therapy?
Constraint-Induced Therapy (CI Therapy) is primarily classified as a rehabilitation therapy.
- Type of Therapy: Rehabilitation
- Primary Application: Neurological rehabilitation
- Target Population: Individuals who have experienced a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other forms of neurological damage.
- Main Objective: To improve functional use of a limb (often an arm) that has been affected by a stroke or other neurological injuries.
- Methodology: CI Therapy involves restricting the use of the unaffected or "good" limb, forcing the patient to use the affected limb more frequently. This is often done using a mitt or sling. The therapy is complemented by intensive task-oriented training exercises.
- Underlying Principle: The therapy is based on the principles of neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. By forcing the use of the affected limb, the brain is encouraged to rewire and improve the limb's function.
- Duration: The therapy is intensive and is typically administered for several hours a day over a period of 2-3 weeks.
CI Therapy has been shown to produce significant functional improvements in the affected limb of many patients, even years after a stroke or injury. The therapy is grounded in decades of research and has been adapted for other conditions and other parts of the body, such as the lower limbs.
Summary: UAB Clinical Trial on "Brain Fog" Post-COVID-19 Recovery
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A clinical trial at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is exploring ways to improve cognitive function in patients who experience "brain fog" after recovering from COVID-19.
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"Brain fog" is a term used to describe memory problems and difficulty thinking clearly. Studies have shown that a significant number of COVID-19 survivors experience these cognitive difficulties, even months after recovery.
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The sensation of "brain fog" has been described by patients as feeling like they're "under anesthesia" or as if their brain has "aged 10 years overnight."
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The trial at UAB is testing a rehabilitation method known as Constraint-Induced Therapy (CI Therapy). This method, developed at UAB, has been used globally to help patients regain limb function and language abilities after strokes.
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CI Therapy has also been effective for patients with traumatic brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other types of brain damage.
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The therapy involves intensive training sessions and has shown to rewire the brain, leading to lasting improvements in function.
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The trial aims to recruit at least 20 adult patients who have recovered from COVID-19 but are still experiencing cognitive issues. The training is provided free of charge.
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The therapy involves 35 hours of in-clinic training, including computer-based speed-of-processing training and progressively challenging cognitive activities.
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Participants are also given tasks to complete at home, designed to help transfer the gains made in the clinic to their everyday lives.
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The goal of the therapy is not just to improve cognitive function in a clinical setting but to ensure these improvements are applicable and beneficial in real-life situations.
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