The following is excerpted from the article "Constraint-Induced Language Therapy for Aphasia," Stroke Connection Magazine, March/April 2006

Evaluating new treatment approaches

Whenever a new intervention or approach to rehabilitation is considered, it is best to gather as much information as possible.  Before beginning any rehabilitation program, you should determine that the provider is qualified, informed and experienced.  However, when considering a product or program that is new or experimental, such as CIT applied to aphasia rehabilitation, it is equally important to evaluate how the program is portrayed and the evidence that supports it.  Testimonials on promotional materials and uncontrolled case reports are considered the lowest level of evidence and should be supported by research published in professional journals.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provides a list of questions to guide you in evaluating new products or technologies. You’ll find it under the heading “What to ask your Audiologist or SLP.” 

Reimbursement for CIT

Another frequent concern is whether the new approach or technology is covered by insurance.  There is as yet no specific evidence to endorse CI for aphasia as being special, so the reimbursement issues for CI therapy would be the same as for any intervention occurring at the chronic stage of recovery.