About us
Learn more about our story
A brand born from practice, science, and care
Contensão Induzida – Rehabilitation Therapy® is more than just a name: it reflects a journey where science, clinical dedication, and a genuine desire to transform lives through movement come together.
Since 2008, we’ve been a national reference in Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), an evidence-based rehabilitation technique focused on functional recovery for patients with neurological conditions. We believe that every movement holds potential, and we work every day to support professionals in guiding this process with safety, scientific grounding, and compassion.
What is CIMT?
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy is an intensive rehabilitation approach for patients with hemiparesis (reduced strength and control on one side of the body), commonly after Stroke, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, and other encephalic conditions.
The original protocol was developed at the University of Alabama (USA) by Dr. Edward Taub, and introduced in Brazil with adaptations by our team, based on direct supervision from the American university and with scientific validation from UFSCar (Federal University of São Carlos).
The technique involves:
– Controlled restrictions on the unaffected limb (safely);
– Intensive task practice with the affected limb;
– Application of standardized protocols and assessment scales;
– Neuroplasticity as the physiological basis of recovery.
Today, CIMT is considered one of the most scientifically validated approaches in neurofunctional rehabilitation.
Meet Our Team:
Learn who is behind Contensão Induzida
Isabella de Souza Menezes
Physiotherapist with over 15 years of clinical experience and international training in CIMT, including the University of Alabama. She is a PhD candidate at UFSCar, holds a master's degree from UNIFESP, and is a specialist in Neurological Physiotherapy. She has worked at institutions such as USP and AACD, and is part of the organizing committee of the 1st International CIMT Symposium. Isabella is known for her attentive listening, technical precision, and committed practice that brings real results to patients’ lives.
Natalia Duarte Pereira
Professor at UFSCar, coordinator of the GFIT-Neuro research group, and national reference in CIMT, with training from the University of Alabama (USA). She has over 20 years of experience in the field, with scientific publications, development of technologies applied to rehabilitation, and extensive clinical expertise. Since 2008, she has been a CIMT instructor in Brazil, training physiotherapists across the country and leading studies that connect science and practice with excellence.
Our brand is registered — and there’s a reason why!
We understand the importance of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) in the rehabilitation of people with neurological sequelae — and it’s precisely because we believe so deeply in this approach that we decided to register the brand Contensão Induzida – Rehabilitation Therapy®.
But we want to make one thing very clear:
Registering the brand was never about restricting the use of the technique. On the contrary, our biggest desire is for more professionals to apply CIMT with commitment, responsibility, and scientific foundation.
The technique is public, free for teaching, research, application, and sharing by anyone who wishes — even using the name Contensão Induzida, with an “S”, as is commonly used in Brazil.
What’s protected by law are the elements that form part of our intellectual property:
– the format of our course,
– the exclusive materials we produce,
– the way we organize and present the content in the trainings we offer.
This means that no one is prevented from working with CIMT, promoting the approach, publishing research, teaching the technique, or applying it in clinical practice. We only ask for respect for what is proprietary — carefully built over years of dedication, study, and experience.
Our commitment is to science, to high-quality rehabilitation, and to training professionals with depth. Registering the brand is just a way to protect this journey and ensure that what we offer remains a reliable and respected reference for those who seek to learn deeply.
We remain open to dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the collective construction of a path that benefits more and more patients.
Count on us for this journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can take the Contensão Induzida course?
Our courses are intended for physiotherapists and occupational therapists (graduates or in their final year of training) who work or wish to work with neurological rehabilitation in adults or children.
Is the course officially recognized?
Yes. Our training programs are certified by the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), endorsed by the Ministry of Education. We are also a reference for CIMT application in Brazil since 2008.
What are the “CIMT protocol barriers”?
Applying CIMT can face some challenges in clinical practice, such as physical structure, patient selection, working hours, and team adherence.
To better understand these barriers and strategies to overcome them, we recommend this international guide:
👉 strokeed.com/implementing-upper-limb-constraint-induced-movement-therapy-cimt-online
Can I apply CIMT even if I haven’t taken your course?
Yes, Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy is a publicly available technique based on scientific evidence. However, correct application of the protocol requires specific technical knowledge, especially regarding assessment scales and functional progression. Our courses offer this foundation in a structured way, with theory, practice, and clinical materials.
Can I use the name “Contensão Induzida” in my course or on social media?
You can use the name “Contensão Induzida” to promote treatments, teach, conduct research, and talk about the technique — there are no restrictions for that.
What is legally protected is the use of the brand “Contensão Induzida – Terapia de Reabilitação®” as a course name, visual identity, or in the offering of training and certifications that are exclusive to our group. This ensures the integrity of the material and the format we’ve developed through years of practice and research.
Does the course include practice with real patients?
Yes! One of the highlights of our training is real-life practice with patients, under supervision and case discussions. This gives students confidence to apply the protocol with responsibility and clinical sensitivity.
Do you provide materials for applying CIMT?
Yes! We have a virtual store with kits and materials developed based on our clinical experience, tested and approved by hundreds of professionals throughout Brazil. You can access our store in the “CIMT Store” menu.
Do you offer consulting for teams and clinics?
Yes. We offer clinical and institutional consulting for teams looking to implement CIMT with quality and evidence, including technical support, internal training, and workflow structuring.
