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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05847595

Implicit Versus Explicit Motor Training for Upper Extremity Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke Patients

Training methods that improve proprioception of the shoulder joint involve specific tasks targeting joint position sense, kinesthesia, or sense of force. These exercises can involve explicit or implicit motor learning. Explicit learning involves verbal knowledge of movement performance, while implicit learning involves minimal verbal knowledge and learning in a less conscious manner. The purpose of the study is to identify the efficacy and difference between implicit and explicit motor training in improving upper extremity functions in chronic stroke patients. The study will use laser pointer pattern tracking exercises and precise repositioning tasks for explicit motor training and a cognitive-motor dual-task training for implicit motor training. The laser-pointer assisted angle reproduction test, Wolf Motor Function Test and Arm Motor Ability Test will be used for evaluation.

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Key information

Conditions

CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident) Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Nervous System Diseases Stroke Vascular Diseases

Age range

50 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Egyptians Chinese University

Cairo, 11757, Egypt

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age is ranging between 50 to 65 years
  • Diagnosis of a single stroke 6 months to 2 years prior to study entry confirmed by neuroimaging reports (to minimize the chance that improvements occur because of spontaneous recovery).
  • Sufficient cognitive and language abilities to understand and follow multiple-step instructions (a score of 24 or more on the mini mental state examination).
  • Adequate vision to track the laser beam.
  • Muscle strength of ≥ 3/5 for all upper extremity joints on manual muscle testing.
  • Subjects are able at least to partially move outside of synergies at the affected elbow (Brunnstrom recovery stage in the upper limb following stroke is 4 or greater)
  • Spasticity at the paretic elbow, wrist, or fingers, defined as a score less than 2 on the modified Ashworth scale.

Exclusion criteria

  • Uncontrolled seizure disorders.
  • Additional neurological impairments, for example, Parkinson disease that (severely) influence their upper limb functions.
  • Excessive spasticity at the paretic upper limb muscles defined as a score equal or more than 2 on the modified Ashworth scale.
  • Excessive pain in the affected UE, as measured by a score of 5 or higher on a 10-point visual analog scale.
  • Patients with musculoskeletal disorders of upper limb joints, such as severe arthritis, fractures, or fixed deformities.
  • Patients with cognitive, visual, or auditory impairments.

Treatment and study plan

Implicit motor training program

Other

The implicit motor training aims to create a learning situation in which the learner is not (or minimally) aware of the underlying rules of the practiced motor skill. Cognitive-motor dual-task training will be used, which involves practicing hand-reaching and grasping in different locations in space while performing cognitive tasks associated with attention, memory, and executive function. The cognitive tasks include naming words, counting backwards, counting tones, counting days and months backwards, listening to a number and counting backwards by twos and threes, telling daily stories, spelling words backward, continuous subtraction of 7 from 100, and the Stroop task. The training will be tailored to the participant's abilities.

Explicit motor training program

Other

The explicit motor training aims to create a learning situation in which the learner is very aware of the learning process by providing detailed explicit instructions on each exercise. The Motion Guidance Shoulder Kit will be used for this intervention, which involves four exercises: "Around the clock" in flexion and abduction, "Locate the Target" in active range of motion, "Butterfly" in tracing small and large butterfly patterns, and "Test your positional awareness" in locating circles with eyes open and closed. The kit involves a strap around the forearm with a laser to guide the movement of the arm during the exercises.

selected physical therapy program

Other

The selected physical therapy program, which includes shoulder joint mobilization, graduated active exercises for shoulder muscles, hand weight bearing exercises, Approximation of the upper limb joints. While, the conventional physical therapy program for the lower extremity which includes gait training, strengthening exercises and balance training .

Primary outcomes

  1. Upper extremity motor ability

    Time frame: 4-weeks

    Wolf Motor Function Test

  2. ADL functions of the upper extremity

    Time frame: 4-weeks

    Arm Motor Ability Test

Secondary outcomes

  1. Shoulder joint proprioception

    Time frame: 4-weeks

    laser-pointer assisted angle reproduction test

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ahmed Anwar

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
May 6, 2023
Registry last updated
Mar 17, 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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