Intensive Model of Therapy (IMOT) Promising for Patients with CP

IMOT, the Intensive Model of Therapy, is a therapeutic approach to treating children and adults with cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions. IMOT involves therapy for four hours a day, five days a week, for three to four full weeks. Many patients and their families have reported excellent results following IMOT therapy, which is becoming more widespread in the United States and thus easier to find.

Time + Duration + Intensity

According to the website of IMOT innovator Patricia Gonzalez, http://www.sunshinetherapy.com, "Time + duration + intensity is the formula for the Intensive Model of Therapy to make neurological changes within a patient regardless of age." With therapy sessions lasting much longer than the traditional 45 minutes, therapists using IMOT are able to work with their cerebral palsy patients in an intensive and concerted effort to achieve physical changes.

In IMOT, the preparation phase for a patient may include massage, joint mobilization, myofascial release, electrical stimulation, static stretching with gravity, total motion release, and/or passive range-of-motion exercises. Once the patient is ready for strengthening specific muscles, the therapist engages him or her in targeted activities that use treatment tools such as the Universal Exercise Unit (UEU), treadmill training, Total Gym, hippotherapy (therapy while riding a horse), and many more traditional cerebral pasly treatment techniques.

The NeuroSuit

Another valuable tool of IMOT is called "the NeuroSuit," a specialized suit that provides a support system allowing the therapist to assist and/or challenge a patient while he or she performs functional activities. The NeuroSuit stimulates brain activity by applying constant pressure through the joints, encouraging the muscles to work. Patients have achieved remarkable progress using this new therapy aid.

(Article adapted from Daniel Taverne's story titled "Physical Therapy's New Intensive Model Gets Results," published in the American Chronicle online on May 26, 2007. )

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