Description: This workshop is run over 2 days and accepts 24 registrants, enabling small groups to work with clients and receive feedback from the presenters during clinical sessions.

This face to face workshop provides an introduction to constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) as an intervention for arm recovery after stroke and acquired brain injury and processes to support the implementation of CIMT into practice. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is recommended in Australian (and other) stroke guidelines as an evidence-based therapy for arm recovery. Yet national audits show that only 12% of eligible Australian stroke survivors receive CIMT. Barriers to CIMT delivery include limited knowledge, skills, confidence, personnel and equipment. This workshop will enable professionals to develop their knowledge and skills in delivering a CIMT program and develop implementation strategies to support them to apply this knowledge to their practice.

The workshop will describe what should be included in a CIMT program [beyond a mitt], how to structure and progress training during a CIMT program, how to measure participant change and overcome common barriers to delivering CIMT, particularly in public health settings. Video examples will be used to illustrate CIMT program components and opportunities provided to practice skills in assessment and delivery of components of a CIMT program with stroke survivor volunteers.

During the workshop, research will be presented and practical examples of evidence based implement strategies to support professionals and teams to run and sustain CIMT programs in routine practice.

Target audience: The workshop will be of interest to occupational therapists, physiotherapists and allied health assistants from hospital and community based settings, who provide upper limb rehabilitation to adults following stroke and acquired brain impairment, as well as university lecturers. The workshop focuses on upper limb rehabilitation.

Pre-reading and homework will be distributed to participants prior to the workshop

This workshop focuses on helping therapists to minimise upper limb impairments post-stroke through the delivery of upper limb CIMT programs to eligible stroke survivors, and strategies to increase the delivery of this evidence based intervention in routine practice.

Workshop notes and content will be based on published research from both the CIMT and implementation science literature.

Learning objectives: By the end of the workshop, learners will be able to:

Identify people that are eligible for CIMT
Name and describe the key components of CIMT which include shaping, functional task practice, mitt wearing and a transfer package
Identify the resources needed to deliver CIMT with fidelity including staff, space and equipment
Name outcome measures that are commonly used before and after a CIMT program
Plan and conduct an observational analysis and CIMT session (including shaping tasks, administration of the transfer package, coaching and feedback) with a person who has had a stroke
Identify online educational resources that can be used to prepare for delivery of CIMT programs
Describe the pros and cons of different models of CIMT delivery including 1:1, group and online/virtual

Presenters:

Dr Lauren Christie PhD, occupational therapist and associate Member of The StrokeEd Collaboration. Senior Implementation Science Research Fellow- Allied Health at St Vincent’s Health Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Dr Nicola Fearn PhD, occupational therapist, accredited lymphoedema therapist and early career researcher. Senior Research Officer, Allied Health Research Unit at St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney, NSW Australia.

Contact person: Lauren Christie

lauren.christie84@gmail.com 0426 835 118