Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy with Shaping
Objective: To test whether constraint-induced movement therapy combined with operant conditioning and shaping can overcome learned nonuse and improve motor ability and functional independence in chronic stroke patients
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Materials1
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Protocol Steps
Apply constraint to unaffected extremity
Restrict movement of the opposite (unaffected) extremity to prevent compensatory use
Note: This constraint forces reliance on the affected limb
View evidence from paper
“2 weeks of restricting movement of the opposite (unaffected) extremity and training of the affected limb”
Conduct operant conditioning training
Apply operant conditioning principles to train use of the affected limb by changing contingencies of reinforcement to strongly favor use of the affected upper extremity
Note: Based on principles derived from research with deafferented monkeys
View evidence from paper
“changing the contingencies of reinforcement so that they strongly favor use of an affected upper extremity in the chronic postinjury situation”
Apply shaping with verbal feedback
Use shaping techniques combined with verbal feedback to further enhance motor recovery of the affected limb
Note: Preliminary data suggests this enhances motor recovery beyond constraint and operant conditioning alone
View evidence from paper
“shaping with verbal feedback further enhances the motor recovery”