Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is becoming increasingly recognized as a potentially useful means of treating children with hemiplegia but meanwhile attracts vigorous criticism and controversy. It has been suggested that constraint therapy is physically and developmentally intrusive in a number of ways: preventing use of the normal hand leaves a child with a poorly functioning hand which could cause distress and frustration; restraining the uninvolved limb at a critically sensitive stage of development may theoretically compromise function; there is a possible danger from lack of protection in case of falls; and the activities a child may be asked to perform may be inappropriate for his capability, resulting in resentment and lack of motivation.