PHYSICIANS

Physicians Referral Info

This page is intended to give physicians a snapshot of the principles of Constraint Induced Movement and Aphasia therapies. Information is provided to help you determine the appropriateness of this therapy for your patients and the qualifying requirements. Please call if you have more questions or would like to refer a client.

Referral Information

For consultation or referral:
Please call: 1-818-386-1231,
Email: ,
Or simply print and fill out this referral form (PDF).

What We Do

At the Advanced Recovery Rehabilitation Center we provide our adult and pediatric clients with the latest in rehabilitative therapies for recovery of speech and movement following stroke and brain-related injuries. We feature state licensed and nationally certified therapists. Our facilities comply with the ADA and all staff are CPR certified.

We Offer:

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)

Based on research by Edward Taub, Ph.D., CIMT compels patients to use the weaker extremity by constraining the dominant one resulting in increased movement and functionality. This innovative approach teaches the brain to “rewire” itself following a stroke or brain-related injury and overcome the phenomenon of learned non-use. Clients in the program receive treatment six hours a day, five days a week for two to three weeks. It is the only rehabilitation technique shown to produce a marked change in brain organization and function and scientific literature indicates that most people recover approximately fifty-percent of their previous function when initial qualifications below are met.

CIMT Qualifications

General Guidelines for Required Movement:

  • At least 6 month post-onset in most cases
  • 20 degrees of extension in the wrist
  • 10 degrees of extension in each of the fingers

SaeboFlex™ Orthosis

The SaeboFlex is a dynamic splint that stroke survivors use to retrain the arm, wrist and hand affected by the stroke. The device attaches to the stroke survivors forearm, hand and fingers and allows them the opportunity to perform grasp and release exercises. The device has no motor or electrical parts but works by a system of springs. These springs provide resistance to the muscles that grip and aid the muscles that help open the hand and fingers. The SaeobFlex Orthosis is used in conjunction with a CIMT treatment model if requirements for traditional CIMT are not yet met.

SaeboFlex™ Orthosis Qualifications:

General Guidelines for Required Movement:

  • At least 6 month post-onset in most cases
  • Ability to bend fingers when wrist is placed
    in extension and fingers are extended
  • Any shoulder and elbow movement
  • Ability to passively stretch out fingers and wrist

Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT)

CIAT, based on CIMT principles, is modified to treat aphasia by limiting the patient's use of compensatory strategies such as writing, gesturing, drawing, etc. during the therapy session. Therefore, CIAT forces the brain to adapt and find an alternate way to express the idea-verbalization and spoken words. CIAT focuses primarily on expressive aphasia although those with moderate receptive aphasia can still benefit.

Clients in the program receive treatment three and a half hours a day, five days a week for two to three weeks. Homework assignments each night and on weekends continue the language stimulation. There is no physical restraint used in CIAT. Constraint of compensatory strategies combined with extensive and frequent treatments has the greatest effect on how much progress a patient achieves. These same principles have also been applied to treat clients with apraxia and dysarthria with good results.

CIAT Qualifications

General Guidelines for Required Basic Skills;

  • At least 6 month post-onset in most cases
  • Ability to say at least three different words spontaneously
  • Ability to attend to a single task for at least two minutes with assistance
  • At least moderately intact receptive language
  • No more than a moderate verbal apraxia is ideal, however, clients with more severe apraxia are considered on a case-by-case basis following a full evaluation
  • No more than a moderate dysarthria is ideal, however, clients with a more severe dysarthria are considered on a case-by-case basis following a full evaluation

Other Services

Shorter, non-CIMT/CIAT treatments are also available including Speech and Language Therapy for apraxia, dysarthria, dysphagia, and cognitive-linguistic decline as well as adult and pediatric Physical Therapy.

Our History

Out of the need for a more effective stroke rehabilitation, Linda Ogren and Jennifer Nolan-Sariego, Ph.D. researched constraint induced therapy. Impressed with the evidence, we endeavored to provide this innovative approach to clients who had reached a plateau in their previous therapy programs. In 2002 we established the Advanced Recovery Rehabilitation Center and began by offering CIMT and SaeboFlex™ Orthosis for upper extremities. In 2004 we expanded to include the first CIAT program in the United States. In 2006 we expanded again to offer CIMT for lower extremities and pediatric CIMT for both upper and lower extremities.