ModuleDraft

OT upper-limb recovery — what works (task practice, CIMT, mirror therapy)

Evidence-informed survivor module: upper-limb recovery is driven by task practice; overview of CIMT and mirror therapy concepts; how to talk to OT about fit/dose.

Recovery & RehabCaregiver, SurvivorIntermediate20 minStandard (9–12)

Educational only

Educational only — therapy choice and dosing must be guided by your OT/clinical team.

Get help now

Stop and seek urgent help for chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or new stroke-like symptoms. For severe shoulder pain after exercise: pause and contact your clinician/therapist.

Key takeaways

  • Explain why task practice matters
  • Understand CIMT and mirror therapy at a high level
  • Prepare questions for OT about fit/dose/safety

Big idea: repetition + specificity

  • Practice the task you want
  • Many reps
  • Small daily dose

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)

  • What it is
  • Who it fits
  • Common barriers

Mirror therapy

  • How it works (concept)
  • Visual feedback
  • Motor imagery

How to talk with OT

  • What’s safe for me?
  • How many reps?
  • How will we measure progress?

Red flags

  • Worsening pain
  • Spasticity flare
  • Shoulder subluxation signs

Practice check

What you’ll practice

These questions are untimed. After you answer all of them, you’ll see your score and a clear next lesson or reference step.

0 of 4 answered

Question 1

1. Upper-limb recovery is strongly driven by:

Question 2

2. CIMT is generally about:

Question 3

3. Mirror therapy is a concept using:

Question 4

4. A red flag to discuss with OT is:

References

  1. AHA/ASA2017
    Poststroke Depression: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals
  2. Cochrane
    Constraint-induced movement therapy after stroke
  3. Cochrane
    Mirror therapy for improving motor function after stroke