SHP-CI - UAB Training for CI Therapy - Online

The UAB Training for CI Therapy – Online offers an asynchronous, online continuing education course to occupational therapists and physical therapists across the globe for the foundation, development, and components of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy.

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CI therapy) is a multicomponent neurorehabilitation approach designed to improve motor recovery and increase extremity use following neurological injury such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy and brain resection. Since 1987, Dr. Edward Taub and his research group at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have been leaders in CI therapy research and development. Developed by Dr. Taub, the approach has been successfully used to improve function in adults and children recovering from neurological dysfunction at UAB and other laboratories in the United States and abroad. Currently, research continues to examine multiple applications of CI therapy and the optimal application of CI therapy principles. The CI therapy approach represents a major paradigm shift in traditional rehabilitation because of its emphasis on a functional task orientation, behavioral techniques, concentrated, repetitive practice, and other characteristics.

To promote understanding and appropriate use of CI therapy in clinical practice, The UAB CI Therapy Research Group, led by Dr. Taub, has developed a training program for health professionals interested in establishing CI therapy clinical programs for upper extremity (UE) recovery with adults and children recovering from stroke and other neurologic conditions. This online training program will include didactic coursework that covers the theoretical basis and development of the original signature Adult / Teenager Upper Extremity CI Therapy protocol which serves as the foundation for all other CI Therapy protocols ( including lower extremity, pediatric, aphasia) and is the most clearly defined CI Therapy protocol.

Program Description

The UAB CI Therapy Training Program is designed for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants and Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants with a desire to develop CI therapy programs in their clinical setting. This online course will focus on the theoretical basis and development of the signature CI therapy protocol for UE rehabilitation for teenagers and adults with chronic stroke with mild to moderate impairment. The course is most appropriate for rehabilitation professionals in ambulatory settings (e.g., outpatient clinics, home health). While the training is primarily designed for clinicians, it may also be appropriate for scientists wishing to conduct CI therapy research. Participants should enter the program with a basic understanding and competency with physical rehabilitation strategies for patients recovering from neurologic injury.  We anticipate that international participants may be interested in enrolling. As such, it is important to note that the course content and materials will be presented in English.

We are planning an in-person lab course following the online course that will have a separate registration with more information to come. We are in the process of approval for continuing education credits and anticipate that this online version of the course will offer 15 contact hours of Continuing Education Credit through the School of Health Professions at UAB. 

For more information please contact Mary Bowman, Clinical Director and Instructor, through https://www.uab.edu/shp/home/online-training-ci-therapy-form  or visit our website at go.uab.edu/onlinecitraining