Comparative Effects of Somatosensory Stimulation and Task Based Mirror Therapy in Post Stroke Patients

NCT07578844 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/25/0225
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial will be conducted at the Department of Physical Therapy, DHQ Hospital Sheikhupura, over duration of eleven months. A total of 20 stroke patients meeting inclusion criteria will be conveniently sampled and randomly assigned into two groups. Group A will receive somatosensory stimulation, while Group B will undergo task-based mirror therapy. Interventions will be administered five times per week for four weeks. Upper limb function will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), and the Box and Block Test (BBT) to assess upper limb motor function, task based performance and gross motor dexterity. Data analysis will be performed using SPSS version 26.

Conditions

Stroke; Stroke (CVA) or TIA; Upper Limb Function

Keywords

Mirror Therapy; Motot recovery; Stroke Rehabilitation; Somatosensory Stimulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• BOX & BLOCK TEST

  The Box and Block Test (BBT) is a performance-based measure of gross manual dexterity that allows clinicians to infer about levels of activity

  4th Week

• ACTION RESEARCH ARM TEST

  Action research arm test has been used widely clinically for the assessment of upper extremity function post stroke and in various other conditions. Measurement of recovery after stroke is becoming increasingly important with the advent of new treatment options under investigation in stroke rehabilitation research.

  4th Week

Other Outcomes (1)

• Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE)

  4th week

Study Arms (2)

Task based Mirror Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients will be administered with Task-Based Mirror Therapy, where they will practice real-life functional movement through a mirror reflection of the movement of the affected upper limb. The mirror will be located with a sagittal angle so that the reflection of the patient only display the image of the non-affected limb, resulting in an optical illusion that both limbs move symmetrically

Other: Mirror Therapy:

Somatosensory Stimulation

EXPERIMENTAL

The group will be provided with somatosensory stimulation-induced rehabilitation of the upper limb, which will personalize to patients with both motor and sensory disturbance after stroke. The aim of the therapy will be to improve the functioning of upper limbs that focused directly on tactile, proprioceptive, and sensory discrimination abilities (14). The session will be started with a 5-minute warm-up, and the muscle groups involved active-assisted movement of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist to achieve better circulation and excite the limb to receive the sensations. Patients will be advised to direct their attention to the kinaesthetics of motion.

Other: Somatosensory Stimulation

Interventions

Somatosensory Stimulation OTHER

The group will be provided with somatosensory stimulation-induced rehabilitation of the upper limb, which will personalize to patients with both motor and sensory disturbance after stroke. The aim of the therapy will be to improve the functioning of upper limbs that focused directly on tactile, proprioceptive, and sensory discrimination abilities (14). The session will be started with a 5-minute warm-up, and the muscle groups involved active-assisted movement of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist to achieve better circulation and excite the limb to receive the sensations. Patients will be advised to direct their attention to the kinaesthetics of motion.

Also known as: somatosensory stimulation-induced rehabilitation

Somatosensory Stimulation

Mirror Therapy: OTHER

Patients will be administered with Task-Based Mirror Therapy, where they will practice real-life functional movement through a mirror reflection of the movement of the affected upper limb. The mirror will be located with a sagittal angle so that the reflection of the patient only display the image of the non-affected limb, resulting in an optical illusion that both limbs move symmetrically

Task based Mirror Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age: above 40-70 years
• Both Male and female patients
• Unilateral ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
• Having attack duration of 1 to 6 months
• Mild - Moderate motor impairment
• Moderate cognitive ability according to Mini-mental State Examination score \>24 3 grade Brunnstrom upper extremity stage

You may not qualify if:

• Aphasia
• Serious unilateral neglect (Star Cancellation Test ≤ 44/54) or visual field deficiency
• Any other comorbid neurological diseases except for stroke
• Diagnosis of any other neuromuscular or orthopedic disease in the upper extremities

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Department of Physical Therapy, DHQ Hospital Sheikhupura

Sheikhupura, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke

Interventions

Mirror Movement Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Therapeutics

Study Officials

• Zain Ul Abbas, Ms

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: An independent therapist who has not taken part in the intervention will do all outcome assessments that will help in reducing chances of biasness.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: May 11, 2026
• Study Start: July 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2026
• Study Completion: July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)