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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Pediatr.
Sec. Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fped.2025.1487781

Caregiver Determinants and Capacity for Participation in Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

Provisionally accepted
Hunter Moore Hunter Moore 1*Amy Ayala Amy Ayala 1Bhooma Aravamuthan Bhooma Aravamuthan 1Alyssa Smith Alyssa Smith 1Sharon Ramey Sharon Ramey 2Catherine R Hoyt Catherine R Hoyt 1
  • 1 Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, United States
  • 2 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Aim: Hemiplegic cerebral palsy affects 1 in every 1100 children, making it the most common pediatric motor disability. Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is an evidence-based intervention that significantly improves upper extremity function when implemented with high fidelity. Despite its effectiveness, CIMT's intensive naturerequiring daily therapy for up to twenty dayslimits its availability. This study examined caregivers' perspectives on implementing and adapting home-based CIMT to identify practical solutions for improving intervention accessibility.Method: Caregivers of a child who has a diagnosis associated with upper extremity motor impairment consistent with cerebral palsy were recruited from the Cerebral Palsy Center at the St. Louis Children's Hospital. Caregivers completed a semi-structured interview to share their CIMT experiences, as well as their ideas and opinions related to modified versions of CIMT. All interviews were coded and analyzed for themes using descriptive analysis.Results: Twelve interviews were conducted and revealed that caregivers would be interested in CIMT with an at-home model. Those who had experience with CIMT stated they found meaningful results from their participation in CIMT. Caregivers communicated potential challenges such as their child remaining engaged in at-home therapy, caregiver confidence in implementing the therapy, and the time required for implementing caregiver-led, home-based CIMT.Interpretation: Study findings identified that caregivers see value in a modified, at-home CIMT program. Developing a modified version of CIMT is needed to increase access to this beneficial intervention.

    Keywords: CIMT, Qualitative, EPIs, Caregiver-Led CIMT, barriers

    Received: 28 Aug 2024; Accepted: 03 Feb 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 Moore, Ayala, Aravamuthan, Smith, Ramey and Hoyt. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Hunter Moore, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, United States

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.