A cuff electrode assembly for implantation on a target nerve , the cuff electrode assembly comprising: a resilient cuff body configured to be disposed about the target nerve , the cuff body including a first end portion having a first free end , and a second end portion having a second free end , the first free end and the second free end defining a gap in the cuff body between the first free end and the second free end , wherein the cuff body is pre-formed to assume a closed configuration having a generally annular cross-sectional shape, a first arm member and a second arm member each projecting radially outward from the cuff body and spaced from one another along the cuff body , wherein each of the first and second arm members is disposed closer, as measured circumferentially around the cuff body in a first direction as compared to a second direction opposite the first direction, to the gap in the cuff body , and further wherein the cuff body is configured such that a force applied to urge the first and second arm members toward one another causes relative deflection of the second free end and the first free end away from one another to expand the gap and define an open configuration of the cuff body configured to allow the cuff body to be positioned around the target nerve ; an electrode disposed at least partially within or on the cuff body oriented to provide an electrical stimuli to the target nerve when the cuff body is disposed about the target nerve ; and a stiffening member configured to urge the cuff body to return to the pre-formed closed configuration upon release of a force causing the cuff body to assume the open configuration, wherein the stiffening member is a metallic, electrically conductive element configured to operate as the electrode of the cuff electrode assembly . a resilient cuff body configured to be disposed about the target nerve , the cuff body including a first end portion having a first free end , and a second end portion having a second free end , the first free end and the second free end defining a gap in the cuff body between the first free end and the second free end , wherein the cuff body is pre-formed to assume a closed configuration having a generally annular cross-sectional shape, a first arm member and a second arm member each projecting radially outward from the cuff body and spaced from one another along the cuff body , wherein each of the first and second arm members is disposed closer, as measured circumferentially around the cuff body in a first direction as compared to a second direction opposite the first direction, to the gap in the cuff body , and further wherein the cuff body is configured such that a force applied to urge the first and second arm members toward one another causes relative deflection of the second free end and the first free end away from one another to expand the gap and define an open configuration of the cuff body configured to allow the cuff body to be positioned around the target nerve ; an electrode disposed at least partially within or on the cuff body oriented to provide an electrical stimuli to the target nerve when the cuff body is disposed about the target nerve ; and a stiffening member configured to urge the cuff body to return to the pre-formed closed configuration upon release of a force causing the cuff body to assume the open configuration, wherein the stiffening member is a metallic, electrically conductive element configured to operate as the electrode of the cuff electrode assembly . <EOS>