Comparative Effect of CIMT and PNFTechnique on Hands Dexterity in Cerebral Palsy

NCT07673289 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/25/0222
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 26
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitations that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occurred in the developing fetal or infant brain. The primary motor impairments in CP often include issues with muscle tone, reflexes, and coordination. Among the various motor disorders associated with CP, impairment of the upper extremities is particularly common and functionally debilitating. Specifically, reduced hand dexterity the ability to perform coordinated, fine motor tasks significantly impacts a child's independence in daily activities such as feeding, dressing, and school-related tasks like writing. Therefore, improving hand function is a critical goal in physiotherapy for this population The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a constraint induced movement therapy ( CIMT ) and Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique on dexterous movement of hands in cerebral palsy .The study design will be Randomized Controlled Trail. The study setting will be Pediatric Rehabilitation Center or Physiotherapy Department. The duration of study will be 10 months after approval of synopsis. The sample size will be 20 which is calculated by epitools. The sampling technique will be Non-probability convenient sampling . Children who are diagnosed with cerebral palsy will be included. Children with other musculoskeletal and neurological issues will be excluded. Data Collection Tools will be Box and Block test and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory.. The data will be analyzed using SPSS 23. Keyword Cerebral Palsy, Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT), dexterous movement, Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Keywords

Cerebral Palsy; Constraint induced movement therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Box and Block test

  This test is used to measure manual dexterity. This test is simple, cheap and quick. The test can be used for different populations to assess the coordinated movements of the hands. The test-retest reliability on more weak hand is 0.98 and the less weak hand is 0.93. It has good convergent validity as the value is 0.80

  6 weeks

• Action Research Arm Test

  The Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) was used, assessing grasp, grip, pinch, and general movement with a score range of 0-57, where higher scores indicated improved motor function. The ARAT demonstrated high test-retest reliability (r = 0.98).

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Group

EXPERIMENTAL

participants underwent Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) alongside conventional physical therapy, conducted five days a week for two hours daily (excluding weekends). This therapy encouraged the active use of the affected upper limb while immobilizing the unaffected limb with a mitt or sling. The aim was to improve motor recovery by combating "learned non-use." Participants engaged in repetitive, task-oriented activities tailored to their skills, such as reaching, grabbing, lifting, and handling objects of various weights and sizes. Fine motor skills exercises, like buttoning, writing, and stacking blocks, were included, progressively increasing in difficulty to enhance the application of these skills in daily activities.Therapists observed participants, provided feedback, and ensured the correct execution of movements, utilizing intense practice and molding techniques.

Behavioral: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Therapy Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Group B received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) therapy, each session lasting 1.5 hours per day. The PNF approach aimed to enhance functional motor abilities,reduce stiffness, and activate neuromuscular responses. Treatment included diagonal and spiral movement patterns involving the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints, adhering to a "stretch, contract, and relax" protocol. This protocol involved passively stretching the limb, followed by isometric contractions lasting 10 seconds. Repeated stretching of hypertonic muscles and isotonic or eccentric movements helped alleviate spasticity and improve flexibility. Therapists provided verbal and tactile cues to guide correct movements and enhance muscular coordination. Assessments of spasticity and functional motor abilities were conducted after given time of intervention

Behavioral: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Therapy

Interventions

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy BEHAVIORAL

In Group A, participants underwent Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) alongside conventional physical therapy, conducted five days a week for two hours daily (excluding weekends). This therapy encouraged the active use of the affected upper limb while immobilizing the unaffected limb with a mitt or sling. The aim was to improve motor recovery by combating "learned non-use." Participants engaged in repetitive, task-oriented activities tailored to their skills, such as reaching, grabbing, lifting, and handling objects of various weights and sizes. Fine motor skills exercises, like buttoning, writing, and stacking blocks, were included, progressively increasing in difficulty to enhance the application of these skills in daily activities.Therapists observed participants, provided feedback, and ensured the correct execution of movements, utilizing intense practice and molding techniques.

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Group

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Group B received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) therapy, each session lasting 1.5 hours per day. The PNF approach aimed to enhance functional motor abilities,reduce stiffness, and activate neuromuscular responses. Treatment included diagonal and spiral movement patterns involving the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints, adhering to a "stretch, contract, and relax" protocol. This protocol involved passively stretching the limb, followed by isometric contractions lasting 10 seconds. Repeated stretching of hypertonic muscles and isotonic or eccentric movements helped alleviate spasticity and improve flexibility. Therapists provided verbal and tactile cues to guide correct movements and enhance muscular coordination. Assessments of spasticity and functional motor abilities were conducted after given time of intervention

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Therapy Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 8 Years - 13 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• to 13 years of age
• Both male and female
• Children with moderate level of mental retardation who are able to follow commands

You may not qualify if:

• Children with other musculoskeletal and neurological issues.
• Children who have complications such as epilepsy, congenital heart condition

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Baloch Hospital

Lalian, Punjab Province, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Interventions

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• Riaz Baloch, MBBS

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Danish Hassan

CONTACT

+923457946009; danish.hassan@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: June 23, 2026
• First Posted: June 29, 2026
• Study Start: January 11, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 25, 2026
• Study Completion: July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)