Comparing Mirror Therapy and CIMT for Hand and Arm Function in Post-Stroke Patients

NCT07139015 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR&AHS/24/0283
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to find out whether Mirror Therapy (MT) combined with Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) improves hand and arm function after a stroke. The study will also compare this combination to CIMT alone. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does combining MT with CIMT improve grip strength, hand dexterity, and upper limb function more than CIMT alone? Which therapy is more effective in helping stroke survivors regain use of their arm and hand? Participants will: Be randomly assigned to receive either CIMT alone or CIMT combined with MT Attend therapy sessions 5 days a week for 6 weeks, each lasting 60-90 minutes Undergo tests before and after treatment to measure grip strength, dexterity, and motor function using tools like the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Box and Block Test, and Hand-Held Dynamometer

Conditions

Stroke

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Grip strength

  Change in grip strength of the affected hand, measured using a Hand-Held Dynamometer.

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

• Hand dexterity

  Change in fine motor skills assessed using the Box and Block Test (BBT).

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

• Upper limb motor function

  Improvement in overall motor function of the affected upper limb, assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Motor Activity Log (MAL).

  Baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention

Study Arms (2)

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) will involve placing a mitt or sling on the unaffected upper limb to promote use of the affected arm. Participants will attend sessions 5 days a week for 6 weeks, each lasting 60-90 minutes. Exercises include: Squeezing therapy putty (3 sets of 10-15 reps) Isometric grip holds (3 sets of 5-10 seconds) Finger-tapping (3 sets of 10 reps) Buttoning and zipping tasks (3 sets of 5-10 reps) The intervention targets grip strength, endurance, dexterity, and functional motor recovery through moderate-intensity, task-specific training.

Other: CONSTRAINT-INDUCED MOVEMENT THERAPY

MIRROR THERAPY

EXPERIMENTAL

The experimental group will receive Mirror Therapy for 15-20 minutes per session, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. A mirror will be placed to reflect movements of the unaffected limb, creating the illusion that the affected limb is moving. Participants will perform simulated grasping, finger tapping, pegboard tasks, and wrist movements to engage mirror neurons and promote motor recovery.

Other: MIRROR THERAPY

Interventions

CONSTRAINT-INDUCED MOVEMENT THERAPY OTHER

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) involves restricting the unaffected arm to promote use of the affected limb through task-specific exercises. It is delivered 5 days a week for 6 weeks, with sessions lasting 60-90 minutes, focusing on improving strength, dexterity, and function.

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

MIRROR THERAPY OTHER

Mirror Therapy (MT) uses a mirror to reflect movements of the unaffected limb, creating the illusion of movement in the affected limb. Participants will do 60-90 minute sessions, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Exercises include hand opening/closing, finger movements, and simple object tasks to improve motor function and coordination through visual feedback.

MIRROR THERAPY

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Male and female patients
• Age 40 years and above
• Diagnosed patients confirmed by CT scan and MRI
• History of stroke not more than 6 months
• Brunnstrom grade 2 and above

You may not qualify if:

• Patients having history of musculoskeletal disorders
• History of shoulder injuries or adhesive capsulitis
• Patients having visual and auditory deficit will be excluded
• Patients who have sensory deficit will be excluded

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Evercare Hospital Lahore

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke

Interventions

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy; Mirror Movement Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• HAMZA NAFEES, MS-NMPT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Asrar Yousaf, M.Phil

CONTACT

+92 300 4099505; Asrar.yousaf@riphah.edu.pk

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: August 18, 2025
• First Posted: August 24, 2025
• Study Start: October 8, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: January 2, 2026
• Last Updated: August 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)