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NCT Number: NCT07093983

Comparing Two Therapies to Improve Arm Function After Stroke

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

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Key information

Age range

40 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Lahore Teaching Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54600, Pakistan

Location contact

Laraib Akbar, MSPTN

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923056926352

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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.

Treatment and study plan

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT)

Other

Participants in this group will receive modified CIMT in combination with conventional physical therapy. The unaffected arm will be restrained to encourage use of the affected upper limb. Task-specific exercises will include fine motor tasks, strengthening, reaching, and functional movement training. Each session will last approximately 45-60 minutes and will be conducted three times per week for 12 weeks.

Coupling Rehabilitation

Other

Participants in this group will receive Coupling Rehabilitation in addition to conventional physical therapy. This method involves bilateral arm training and functional tasks designed to improve coordination between both upper limbs, using the unaffected limb to guide movement in the affected one. Exercises will include trunk-supported reaching, object retrieval, and posture-supported task practice. Sessions will occur three times per week for 12 weeks, each lasting approximately 45-60 minutes.

Primary outcomes

  1. Improvement in Upper Limb Motor Function Using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after start of intervention

    This outcome assesses changes in motor control and function of the affected upper limb using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, a validated stroke-specific performance test. Higher scores reflect better motor recovery.

  2. Change in Hand Dexterity Using the Box and Block Test (BBT)

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after start of intervention

    This outcome evaluates fine motor skills and hand coordination by measuring the number of blocks a participant can move from one compartment to another in one minute using the affected hand. Higher scores indicate better hand dexterity.

  3. Change in Performance of Daily Activities Using the Motor Activity Log (MAL)

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after start of intervention

    This outcome assesses real-world use of the affected upper limb in daily activities using the MAL questionnaire. It includes two subscales: Amount of Use (AOU) and Quality of Movement (QOM). Higher scores indicate better function and limb use.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Ayesha Jamil, BSPT, TDPT, M PHIL. PT

CONTACT

+923244481031

Laraib Akbar, MSPTN

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923056926352

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Lahore

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Coupling Rehabilitation Versus Constraint Induced Movement Therapy in Post Stroke Patients With Upper Limb Impairment

Acronym: CR vs CIMT

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 30, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 3, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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