CI Therapy Research Group
What is CI Therapy?
Constraint-Induced Movement therapy or CI therapy is a new therapeutic approach to rehabilitation of movement after stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). CI therapy consists of a family of treatments that teach the brain to "rewire" itself following an injury to the brain. CI therapy is based on research by Edward Taub, Ph.D. and collaborators at this institution that showed that patients can "learn" to improve movement of the weaker parts of their bodies. These therapies have significantly improved the quality of movement and the amount of use of the more-affected arm or leg for common daily living activities in most patients who have been treated. CI therapy is the only rehabilitation technique shown to markedly change the organization of activity in the brain and remodel brain structures.
The research laboratory conducts many different CI therapy projects. Treatment is without cost. The requirements for acceptance depend on the particular project being carried out at any given time. The current research projects apply CI therapy for the arm after stroke and multiple sclerosis (MS). CI therapy for the leg after stroke, TBI or other brain injury has been temporarily halted in the laboratory, but it is presently offered in the Taub Therapy Clinic.
At this time, CI therapy research projects are actively recruiting for:
Persons who had a stroke 12 months ago or longer,
Persons who have Multiple Sclerosis,
A form of CI therapy is now given to children with cerebral palsy, head injury or other neurological injuries.
CI Therapy Research Team
Edward Taub, Ph.D., Director of Taub Therapy Clinic and CI Therapy Research Group
Gitendra Uswatte, Ph.D., Associate Director
Victor Mark, M.D., Medical Director
David Morris, PT, Ph.D., Physical Therapist and Co-Director of CI Therapy Training
Staci McKay, B.S., Research Project Coordinator
Mary Bowman, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist
Joydip Barman, Ph.D., Senior Research Engineer
Samantha Flippo, B.S., Research Assistant
Ezekiel Byrom, B.S., Research Assistant
Graduate Students
Brad Sokal, Tyler Rickards, Chelsey Sterling, Michelle Haddad
Please send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (205) 934-9768 to contact any of the above individuals.
CI Therapy Research Group
University of Alabama at Birmingham
1530 3rd Ave South,
CPM 712,
Birmingham, AL 35294
