NCT06658275

Brief Summary

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition affecting movement and posture, caused by non-progressive brain disruptions occurring during fetal development. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) significantly improves arm and hand function in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy by using intensive therapy sessions and restricting the unaffected limb to develop new motor skills. Bimanual therapy involves using both hands repeatedly to perform functional tasks, rather than relying on just one hand. Tele-rehabilitation (TR) is an affordable method of providing remote rehabilitation services through telecommunication technologies like smartphones and media applications. The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of CIMT and bimanual therapy delivered via tele-rehabilitation for improving upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy. This randomized clinical trial will be conducted at Mubarik Medical Complex, Sargodha, Pakistan, with a sample size of 65. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups using an online randomization tool, Group A will receive constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) intervention for 60 minutes, and Group B will receive bimanual therapy intervention for 60 minutes. Each participant will undergo treatment for three days a week on alternate days for eight weeks. Spasticity will be assessed by using the Modified Ashworth Scale. The Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) will evaluate dissociated movement, grasp, protective extension, and weight bearing, while the Tele-Rehabilitation Satisfaction Survey (TeSS) is designed to evaluate the experiences and satisfaction levels of patients or caregivers who have participated in tele-rehabilitation programs. Measurements will be taken at baseline, 4th week, 8th week, and at 12th week after discontinuation of treatment. The data will be entered and assessed using SPSS 26. For between-group analysis of parametric data, the independent t-test will be used, while non-parametric data will be analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. Within-group comparisons will be conducted using repeated measures ANOVA for parametric data and Friedman ANOVA for non-parametric data.

Trial Health

35
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
65

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2024

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 24, 2024

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 26, 2024

Completed
6 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2024

Completed
9 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 30, 2025

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 30, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

November 22, 2024

Status Verified

November 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

9 months

First QC Date

October 24, 2024

Last Update Submit

November 19, 2024

Conditions

Keywords

cerebral palsyneurological disorderphysiotherapy techniquesmovement disordermuscle spasticity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Quality Of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST)

    The Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) was developed in 1991 specifically to address the needs of children with spastic cerebral palsy. It is a criterion-referenced assessment tool designed to measure the quality of upper limb movements. The test comprises 34 items, which are organized into four distinct domains. These domains collectively evaluate various aspects of upper extremity function. Administering and scoring the QUEST typically takes between 30 and 45 minutes.

    8 weeks

  • Telehealth Satisfaction Scale

    The Telehealth Satisfaction Scale (TeSS) is a standardized tool designed to assess patient satisfaction with telehealth services. It evaluates aspects such as the quality of care, ease of use of telehealth technology, interaction with healthcare providers, and overall telehealth experience.

    8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

GROUP A (Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will undergo Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy(one hour), which will be administered by their parents under the guidance of a therapist through tele- rehabilitation for 3 days in a week for 8 weeks

Other: Constraint-induced movement therapy

GROUP B (Bi-manual intensive therapy)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will undergo Bimanual therapy(one hour), which will be administered by their parents under the guidance of a therapist through tele-rehabilitation for 3 days in a week for 8 weeks.

Other: Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Training -HABIT

Interventions

During the first routine checkup, therapists will educate caregivers on how to perform the exercises and activities at home. Caregivers will place the childrens less-affected hands in slings and guide them through exercises designed to engage their weaker, paretic hands. The sling will be fastened around the childrens trunks, with the end securely closed.After the initial session, the intervention will be provided by the caregiver at home, with progress monitored by the therapist through Zoom meetings or WhatsApp video calls. Children will engage in play-based activities as part of the CIMT program to improve upper limb functions.These activities will include painting, pin the tail on the donkey for sensory awareness and proprioception, card games, bubble activities, squeezing sponges, building towers with blocks, playing a curtained box game, using tongs, and picking up coins. Exercises will be gradually progressed from easier to more challenging tasks as the child improves.

GROUP A (Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy)

For the Bimanual Intensive Training group, a strategy similar to HABIT will be used. At the first routine checkup, therapists will educate caregivers on the exercises, which will then be conducted at home. Caregivers will guide children through specially designed bimanual activities without slings, focusing on tasks like reaching, grasping, manipulation, releasing, and bearing weight on the upper limb. Progress will be monitored remotely through Zoom or WhatsApp video calls.Exercises will include catching and throwing a ball to improve reaching, grasp, and release; squeezing a textured ball for sensory awareness and sustained grip; stabilising and reorienting paper while drawing and cutting to enhance forearm supination and wrist extension. Additional tasks like sticker peeling for pincer grip and dough playing for hand manipulation will also be included.Exercises will progress from easy to more difficult as the child improves

GROUP B (Bi-manual intensive therapy)

Eligibility Criteria

Age6 Years - 12 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • Age 6-12 years.
  • Children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy with mild to moderate hand involvement.
  • Ability to extend wrist \>20° and fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints
  • \>10° from full flexion
  • Demonstrated ability to follow instructions during screening and complete the testing.
  • Spasticity does not exceed a score of 1 or 1+ on the Modified Ashworth Scale

You may not qualify if:

  • Health problems unassociated with CP.
  • Visual problems interfering with treatment.
  • Active or unstable seizures.
  • Orthopedic surgery on the more affected hand within the last year.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Related Publications (1)

  • Gorter JW, Rosenbaum PL, Hanna SE, Palisano RJ, Bartlett DJ, Russell DJ, Walter SD, Raina P, Galuppi BE, Wood E. Limb distribution, motor impairment, and functional classification of cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2004 Jul;46(7):461-7. doi: 10.1017/s0012162204000763.

    PMID: 15230459BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral PalsyNervous System DiseasesMovement DisordersMuscle Spasticity

Interventions

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, ChronicBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesMuscular DiseasesMusculoskeletal DiseasesMuscle HypertoniaNeuromuscular ManifestationsNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise TherapyPhysical Therapy ModalitiesTherapeuticsRehabilitation

Study Officials

  • Muhammad Kashif, PhD-PT

    Riphah International University

    STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Muhammad Kashif, PhD-PT

CONTACT

Nubtahil Laraib, DPT

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

October 24, 2024

First Posted

October 26, 2024

Study Start

November 1, 2024

Primary Completion

July 30, 2025

Study Completion

July 30, 2025

Last Updated

November 22, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-11

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share