Tele-Video CIMT for Cerebral Palsy

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Petra Sternberg, PhD, CCRP

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Warren Lo

Must not be taking: Botulinum toxin

Disqualifiers: Previous high dose CIMT, Surgery, Medically unstable, Behaviorally impaired, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 4 weeks

10 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) to determine its effectiveness in improving arm and hand function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The therapy will be delivered through video sessions at home, and researchers aim to compare its effectiveness to usual care. The trial seeks children aged 4-10 with limited use of one side of their body due to cerebral palsy, who live near Columbus, Ohio, or Roanoke, Virginia, and can travel for two in-person assessments. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for children to access innovative therapy that could enhance their daily lives.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that this method is safe for children with cerebral palsy?

Research has shown that Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is generally safe for children with cerebral palsy. This therapy can help improve movement, especially in weaker arms or legs.

One study found no major safety concerns when CIMT was used alongside regular therapy. Another review confirmed its safety for children with one-sided cerebral palsy. Families can feel confident that this therapy is usually well-tolerated, with no significant negative effects reported. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Tele-Video Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) for cerebral palsy because it offers a unique approach by combining traditional CIMT with tele-video technology. Unlike standard CIMT, which requires in-person sessions, this method allows patients to receive therapy remotely, making it more accessible and convenient for families who may have difficulty traveling. Additionally, the integration of tele-video technology could enhance the consistency and continuity of treatment, potentially leading to better outcomes. This innovative approach aims to maintain the therapeutic benefits of CIMT while overcoming logistical barriers faced by many patients.

What evidence suggests that tele-video CIMT is effective for cerebral palsy?

Research shows that Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) can enhance movement in children with cerebral palsy. Studies have found that a high amount of CIMT yields significantly better results than a moderate amount or usual care. For children with one-sided cerebral palsy (UCP), CIMT improves movement more effectively than other therapies. It also encourages children to use their affected arm more during activities requiring both hands. These findings suggest that CIMT could improve arm and hand function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Warren Lo, MD

Principal Investigator

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, which affects one side of their body. They should be able to participate in therapy sessions via tele-video from home or a similar setting. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria details are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

My child, aged 5-10, has hemiplegic cerebral palsy with some hand use limitations and lives close to the specified locations.

Exclusion Criteria

I have undergone intensive therapy for 2 hours daily over 10 days.

My child cannot participate in the treatment due to behavioral or cognitive issues.

I am too ill to undergo the treatment.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Parents are trained in the principles of CIMT and use of tele-video equipment

2 days

2 visits (in-person) or virtual training

Treatment

Tele-delivered CIMT for 60 hours over 4 weeks, with daily sessions involving therapist and parent

4 weeks

5 sessions per week (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Constraint Induced Movement Therapy

Trial Overview The CHAMP T2 study is testing the effectiveness of constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) delivered through tele-video to improve the use of a limb affected by cerebral palsy.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This is a single arm in an open label pre- post-treatment design to estimate effect size of the intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Warren Lo

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

10+

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Collaborator

Trials

162

Recruited

26,900+

Ohio State University

Collaborator

Trials

891

Recruited

2,659,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has shown significant effectiveness in improving upper extremity use in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, particularly in studies with rigorous designs, where large treatment effects were observed.

The review highlighted variability in study designs and outcomes, indicating a need for more standardized research methods to determine the optimal intensity and components of CIMT for different children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bound for success: a systematic review of constraint-induced movement therapy in children with cerebral palsy supports improved arm and hand use. Huang, HH., Fetters, L., Hale, J., et al.[2018]

In a study involving 42 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, both Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and Hand-Arm Intensive Bimanual Therapy (HABIT) resulted in significant improvements in hand function, as measured by the Jebsen-Taylor Test and Assisting Hand Assessment, with benefits maintained for 6 months.

While both therapies were effective, HABIT showed greater progress towards self-determined goals, suggesting that bimanual training may offer additional advantages in achieving personalized functional outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bimanual training and constraint-induced movement therapy in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a randomized trial. Gordon, AM., Hung, YC., Brandao, M., et al.[2022]

Group-based constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy showed significant improvements in motor skills after 4 weeks of therapy, with effects maintained at a 3-month follow-up.

The study involved 7 children participating in 2.5 hours of therapy per day, 5 days a week, indicating that this approach may be a feasible and effective alternative to individual therapy sessions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Group constraint-induced movement therapy for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a pilot study. Wu, WC., Hung, JW., Tseng, CY., et al.[2013]

A pilot study involving five infants with unilateral cerebral palsy showed that Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) can lead to significant improvements in fine and gross motor skills during a one-month intervention period.

The study suggests that CIMT is feasible for infants, with improvements maintained at a one-month follow-up, although individual responses varied among participants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot study of the efficacy of constraint-induced movement therapy for infants and toddlers with cerebral palsy. Lowes, LP., Mayhan, M., Orr, T., et al.[2021]

Friendly-CIT, a modified version of constraint-induced therapy, was found to be feasible and effective in improving motor skills in children with cerebral palsy, as evidenced by significant improvements in various motor proficiency tests after 8 weeks of intervention with 15 participants.

The therapy also enhanced psychosocial outcomes, with children showing increased engagement and playfulness, while parents reported high satisfaction and no increase in stress, indicating a supportive approach to therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preliminary Efficacy of a Friendly Constraint-Induced Therapy (Friendly-CIT) Program on Motor and Psychosocial Outcomes in Children with Cerebral Palsy. Chen, YL., Chen, HL., Shieh, JY., et al.[2019]

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has been shown to improve upper limb abilities in children with unilateral cerebral palsy, according to a consensus from experts and a comprehensive literature review.

There are significant knowledge gaps regarding the optimal dosage and frequency of CIMT, as well as how factors like age influence its effectiveness, highlighting the need for further research in these areas.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Guidelines for future research in constraint-induced movement therapy for children with unilateral cerebral palsy: an expert consensus. Eliasson, AC., Krumlinde-Sundholm, L., Gordon, AM., et al.[2022]

A multisite randomized controlled trial involving 18 children with unilateral cerebral palsy found that both 3 hours and 6 hours of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) per day for 21 days led to significant improvements in upper extremity function, maintained at 6 months post-treatment.

The study showed no significant difference in the maintenance of gains between the two dosage groups, indicating that both treatment durations were effective in enhancing motor skills without a clear advantage for the longer duration.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multicenter randomized controlled trial of pediatric constraint-induced movement therapy: 6-month follow-up. Case-Smith, J., DeLuca, SC., Stevenson, R., et al.[2019]

A study involving 88 children with varying degrees of hemiparesis showed that high-intensity Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) led to significant improvements in motor function, as reported by parents and measured by standardized assessments.

The results indicate that the benefits of CIMT in clinical practice are comparable to those observed in rigorous clinical trials, suggesting that this therapy is effective across a diverse population of children with cerebral palsy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Practice-based evidence from a clinical cohort that received pediatric constraint- induced movement therapy. DeLuca, SC., Trucks, MR., Wallace, DA., et al.[2017]

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) has been shown to effectively improve hand function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, enhancing their independence.

This systematic review included 15 relevant studies, indicating that while CIMT is beneficial compared to no intervention, there are inconsistencies in its effectiveness regarding muscle tone and protective extension.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy on Functions of Cerebral Palsy Children. Jamali, AR., Amini, M.[2022]

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) shows potential benefits for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, with one study indicating positive effects on upper limb skills and another showing significant improvements in hand function with modified CIMT.

However, the overall evidence is limited and considered experimental, highlighting the need for more rigorous and adequately powered randomized controlled trials to confirm the effectiveness of CIMT and its variations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Constraint-induced movement therapy in the treatment of the upper limb in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a Cochrane systematic review. Hoare, B., Imms, C., Carey, L., et al.[2018]

In a study involving seven children aged 9-11 with hemiplegia, four participants showed significant improvements in upper limb function after two weeks of reduced intensity constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), indicating its potential efficacy for some children with cerebral palsy.

Qualitative feedback from participants highlighted challenges with the therapy's restraint, emphasizing the need for family involvement and better coordination with educational settings, suggesting that while CIMT can be beneficial, it may not be suitable for all children with hemiplegia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and acceptability of reduced intensity constraint-induced movement therapy for children aged 9-11 years with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a pilot study. McConnell, K., Johnston, L., Kerr, C.[2014]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12288252/

The effectiveness of modified constraint-induced ... By synthesizing data from multiple high-quality randomized controlled trials, our findings suggest that m-CIMT may exert a beneficial effect on ...

2. publications.aap.org publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/148/5/e2020033878/181349/Constraint-Induced-Movement-Therapy-for-Cerebral?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Cerebral Palsy O'Brien's rank-order analyses revealed high-dose CIMT produced significantly greater improvement than a moderate dose or UCT. All CIMT groups ...

3. research.aota.org research.aota.org/ajot/article/77/4/7704205030/24924/Efficacy-of-Constraint-Induced-Movement-Therapy

Efficacy of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Versus ... Results: Children with UCP who received either CIMT or BIT achieved similar motor improvements. The only difference was that CIMT yielded larger ...

4. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cch.13262

Is more always better? Effectiveness of constraint‐induced ... Applying a CIMT protocol with a dosage between 30 and 60 h seems to improve the spontaneous use of the affected upper limb during bimanual tasks ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891422212002922

Motor learning curve and long-term effectiveness of ... The findings suggest that children of 5 years and older might profit from a longer period of mCIMT than 54 h to reach their maximum unimanual capacity.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11632840/

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Cerebral Palsy The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that cerebral palsy affects 1.5% to 4.0% of US livebirths1,2; ~40% will develop hemiparesis. For ...

7. bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13102-025-01259-3

The effectiveness of modified constraint-induced movement ... A few outcomes were rated as having some concerns or high risk, primarily due to unblinded subjective outcome reporting. The meta-analysis ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10151521/

The effect and safety of constraint-induced movement ... Our results showed that CIMT combined with conventional rehabilitation (CR) was superior to CR in improving MAL-AOU and MAL-QOM scores.

9. cochranelibrary.com cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004149.pub3/full

Constraint‐induced movement therapy in children with ... CIMT appears to be a safe intervention for children with unilateral CP. Families should feel confident that, on average, active engagement in a ...