Digital Mirror Versus Action Observation Therapy on Upper Limb Function and Grip Strength in Children With Hemiplegia

NCT07654595 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/006461
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Statement of problem:

1. 1.Does the digital mirror therapy has effect on upper limb function and grip strength in children with hemiplegia ?
2. 2.Does the action observation therapy has effect on upper limb function and grip strength in children with hemiplegia ?
3. 3.Does there is a difference between effect of digital mirror therapy and action observation therapy on upper limb function and grip strength in children with hemiplegia?

Conditions

Hemiplegia; Digital Mirror; Action Observation Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• assessment of upper limb function

  The Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) is one of the most recommended assessment tools. It aims to evaluate upper limb movement quality and capacity in children with CP, it has four domains dissociated movement, grasp, protective extension and weight bearing.

  3 months

• assessment of manual dextriry

  Box and block test (BBT) examines essential components of manual dexterity for developing children, such as grasping, holding, transferring, and releasing

  3 months

• assessment of grip strength

  Hydraulic Handheld Dynamometer will be used to assess the maximum isometric strength of the hand muscles, Grip strength is a key predictor of functional ability. Neuralplasticity, sensorimotor integration, and musculoskeletal function.

  3 months

Study Arms (3)

digital mirror therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Children are asked to perform movements of the less affected upper limb, in which those movements are captured by a webcam and then instantly transformed into mirror images of the movements presented on the screen over the paralyzed upper limb, and children can simultaneously observe the mirror images of the movements from the front and simultaneously moved the more affected arm/hand as much as possible, imagining the movements on the screen were performed by their more affected limb, same exercises as designed occupational therapy program, for 1 hour, one session per day , 3 days per week for 12weeks.

Other: digital mirror therapy

action observation therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

children observed one video clip of a movement or task for 2 min and then practiced executing the same action for 3 min, which the two phases will be applied one time for each exercises, same exercises as designed occupational therapy program

Other: action observation therapy

designed occupational therapy program

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Active occupational therapy exercises for upper limb training. The three common categories of motor actions and tasks: (a) Active range of motion(ROM) exercises for elbow extension, wrist extension, forearm supination, finger extension using rubber band and finger flexor by squeezing a stress ball . (b) Reaching forward and object manipulation as moving beads and blocks from one cup to another one, rolling a clay ball from tip of fingers to the palm, thumb to fingers opposition and drawing using tripod grasp for 1 hour, one session per day , 3 days per week for 12weeks.

Other: designed occupational therapy program

Interventions

digital mirror therapy OTHER

Child will be asked to do the same exercises mentioned in the designed occupational therapy program with the less affected upper limb and the web cam camera will record the movement, instantly transformed into mirror images of the more affected upper limb's movements presented on the screen in front of child.

digital mirror therapy

action observation therapy OTHER

the child will be offered to tablet screen put in front of him 50 centimeters away, time for each video will last for 2 min. Then, the child will be asked to repeat the observed action in the best possible way. All the activities included in the designed occupational therapy program will be observed and imitated.

action observation therapy

designed occupational therapy program OTHER

Active occupational therapy exercises for upper limb training. The three common categories of motor actions and tasks: (a) Active range of motion(ROM) exercises for elbow extension, wrist extension, forearm supination, finger extension using rubber band and finger flexor by squeezing a stress ball ,(b) Reaching forward and object manipulation as moving beads and blocks from one cup to another one, rolling a clay ball from tip of fingers to the palm. thumb to fingers opposition and drawing using tripod grasp.

designed occupational therapy program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 8 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosed with unilateral cerebral palsy (hemiplegia). 2- Age range from 6 to 8 years. 3- Can understand verbal commands. 4- Their gross motor classification system (GMFCS) at level II or III. 5- Their manual ability classification system(MACS) at level II or III.

You may not qualify if:

• Any visual problem. 2- Upper limb contracture or fixed deformity. 3- Uncontrolled convulsion. 4- Surgical procedures in upper limbs. 5- Botox injection in the past 6 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Cairo university

Cairo, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hemiplegia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Paralysis; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Physical therapist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 13, 2026
• First Posted: June 17, 2026
• Study Start: June 2, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2026
• Last Updated: June 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Locations

EG (1)