How do children and caregivers perceive their experience of undergoing the CIMT protocol?

Abstract

Objective: Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is an effective intervention to improve hand function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, some of its features, including the restraining of the unaffected arm and the intensive training, may result in stressful experiences for children and interfere with family routine. This study aimed to document the perceptions of children with CP and their caregivers regarding the experience of undergoing the CIMT protocol.

Methods: Qualitative data were collected from semi-structured interviews conducted with five children with CP and their caregivers (n = 6). Content analysis structured and summarized data into two emergent categories: (i) Perception of children and caregivers about CIMT implementation procedures; (ii) Occupational performance before and after the CIMT protocol. The interviews' content revealed that children and caregivers recognized the benefits of CIMT, including increased use of the affected arm and decreased need for assistance; they believed that these gains outweighed the difficulties they experienced in daily routine.