NCT07734376

Brief Summary

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that frequently impairs upper extremity motor control and hand function, resulting in limitations in daily activities. Mirror therapy is a low-cost, easy-to-implement intervention that promotes motor learning by stimulating cortical reorganization and neuroplasticity. This randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of mirror therapy on upper extremity function, selective motor control, hand function, hand grip strength, and manual dexterity in children with hemiparetic CP. Twenty-six children with hemiparetic CP will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving mirror therapy combined with conventional physiotherapy or a control group receiving sham mirror therapy combined with the same conventional physiotherapy program. The intervention will be administered over an 8-week period. Baseline assessments will include the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Outcome measures collected before and after the intervention will include the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES), ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire, hand grip strength measured with the Jamar dynamometer, and manual dexterity assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test. The study is expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of mirror therapy beyond conventional physiotherapy by using a sham-controlled design and to contribute to the development of standardized, evidence-based rehabilitation protocols for improving upper extremity function in children with hemiparetic CP.

Trial Health

65
Monitor

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
26

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
3mo left

Started Aug 2026

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

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress1%
Aug 2026Oct 2026

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 24, 2026

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 29, 2026

Completed
3 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

August 1, 2026

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 1, 2026

Expected
24 days until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

October 25, 2026

Last Updated

July 29, 2026

Status Verified

July 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

2 months

First QC Date

July 24, 2026

Last Update Submit

July 24, 2026

Conditions

Hemiplegic Cerebral PalsyMirror HandsUpper Extremity DysfunctionMotor Activity

Keywords

Hemiparetic Cerebral PalsyMirror TherapyMotor controlUpper extremity functionHand grip strength

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Change in Selective Motor Control of the Upper Extremity

    Selective motor control of the affected upper extremity will be assessed using the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES). The scale evaluates selective voluntary movement at the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and fingers. Higher scores indicate better selective motor control.

    Baseline and after the 8-week intervention

  • Change in Manual Dexterity

    Manual dexterity will be assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT). The test measures the time required to place and remove nine pegs using the affected hand. Shorter completion times indicate better manual dexterity.

    Baseline and after the 8-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Change in Manual Ability in Daily Activities

    Baseline and after the 8-week intervention

  • Change in Hand Grip Strength

    Baseline and after the 8-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Mirror Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to the experimental group will receive an individualized neurodevelopmental treatment-based conventional physiotherapy program combined with mirror therapy, twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Other: Mirror TherapyOther: Conventional Physiotherapy

Control Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to the control group will receive the same individualized neurodevelopmental treatment-based conventional physiotherapy program combined with sham mirror therapy, twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Other: Sham Mirror TherapyOther: Conventional Physiotherapy

Interventions

Mirror TherapyOTHER

Mirror therapy will be administered for approximately 20 minutes following conventional physiotherapy sessions, twice weekly for 8 weeks. During the intervention, participants will perform bilateral, symmetrical upper extremity movements while observing the mirror reflection of the unaffected upper limb to create the visual illusion of movement of the affected limb.

Mirror Group
Sham Mirror TherapyOTHER

Sham mirror therapy will be administered for approximately 20 minutes following conventional physiotherapy sessions, twice weekly for 8 weeks. Participants will perform the same bilateral upper extremity exercises while the mirror is positioned to eliminate visual mirror feedback.

Control Group
Conventional PhysiotherapyOTHER

Individualized neurodevelopmental treatment-based physiotherapy including stretching, upper extremity strengthening exercises, mat activities, standing and gait training, and fine motor skill activities. The program will be delivered for approximately 40 minutes per session, twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Control GroupMirror Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

  • Diagnosis of hemiparetic cerebral palsy
  • Aged between 6 and 12 years
  • Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) level I-III
  • Having received or currently receiving physiotherapy and rehabilitation for at least 6 months

You may not qualify if:

  • Cognitive or communication impairments that would prevent participation in mirror therapy.
  • Inability to cooperate with the assessment or intervention procedures.
  • Presence of uncontrolled neurological disorders, such as epilepsy.
  • Musculoskeletal deformities or a history of upper extremity surgery.
  • Visual or hearing impairments that would interfere with participation in mirror therapy.
  • Receipt of upper extremity interventions other than routine physiotherapy (e.g., botulinum toxin injection or surgical intervention) within the past 6 months.
  • Inability to comply with the study assessment or intervention schedule.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

Mirror Movement Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Therapy ModalitiesRehabilitationTherapeutics

Study Officials

  • İrem Çetinkaya, PhD

    Marmara University

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

İrem Çetinkaya, PhD

CONTACT

5548056805iremkaranki@gmail.com

Emine Kılıç

CONTACT

5304936253fzt.eminekilic@gmail.com

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 24, 2026

First Posted

July 29, 2026

Study Start

August 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

October 25, 2026

Last Updated

July 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share