Comparing Two Therapies to Improve Arm Function After Stroke (CR vs CIMT)

University of Lahore

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Other: Coupling Rehabilitation; Other: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07093983

LARAIB AKBAR

Details and patient eligibility

About

This clinical trial aims to compare the effects of coupling rehabilitation and constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) on improving arm function, hand skills, and daily activity performance in people who have upper limb weakness after a stroke. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups and receive 12 weeks of therapy, including either CIMT or coupling rehabilitation along with conventional physical therapy. The study will evaluate which method is more effective in restoring movement and independence by using standardized assessments before, during, and after the intervention. The findings may help guide future rehabilitation approaches for stroke survivors

Full description

This study focuses on improving upper limb recovery in people who have experienced a stroke. Stroke often leads to long-term weakness or difficulty using one arm, which can limit a person's ability to perform everyday tasks such as dressing, eating, or writing. The study explores two promising rehabilitation strategies-Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and Coupling Rehabilitation-that may help improve arm movement, hand coordination, and independence in daily life.

Participants will take part in therapy sessions over a 12-week period, during which they will engage in structured, goal-oriented exercises tailored to their physical abilities. The research team will monitor changes in motor function and hand dexterity through standard assessments administered at the beginning, mid-point, and end of the study. By comparing outcomes between the two groups, the study seeks to identify which therapy method is more effective in promoting functional recovery after stroke, with the goal of enhancing rehabilitation practices in clinical settings.

Enrollment: 80 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria: •Age 40-65 years old

• Patients suffering from Sub acute stroke
• Motor function score at Fugl-Meyer Assessment between 40-60
• Fine motor assessment at Box and Block Test<20
• ADL's assessment at Motor Activity Log:

Amount of use scale<2.5 Quality of movement scale<3

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals suffering from unstable angina, symptomatic heart failure, or uncontrolled hypertension
• Physician determined unstable cardiovascular conditions
• The patient has been diagnosed as having organ failure, including the heart, kidneys, and lungs
• Patients with any traumatic musculoskeletal injury to upper limbs
• Individuals who are experiencing cognitive impairment as a result of neurological conditions other than stroke.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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80 participants in 2 patient groups

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) along with conventional physical therapy. CIMT involves structured, task-specific exercises that focus on improving the use of the affected upper limb by restricting the unaffected arm. Sessions will include activities such as fine motor training, reaching tasks, strengthening exercises, and functional movement tasks. Therapy will be delivered three times per week for 12 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)

Coupling Rehabilitation Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive Coupling Rehabilitation along with conventional physical therapy. Coupling Rehabilitation involves bilateral arm training and task-specific activities that encourage coordinated use of both upper limbs to stimulate recovery in the affected arm. Exercises will include trunk-supported reaching, object manipulation, and simulated daily tasks. Therapy will be provided three times per week for 12 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Coupling Rehabilitation