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NCT Number: NCT07204067

Mirror Therapy for Hand Function Recovery in Acute Stroke

Randomized controlled trial to determine whether mirror therapy (MT), added to conventional physiotherapy, improves upper-limb motor recovery, hand function, spasticity, and range of motion (ROM) in acute stroke compared with conventional physiotherapy alone. Outcomes include ARAT, Motor Assessment Scale, Modified Ashworth Scale, and goniometric ROM.

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Key information

Conditions

Acute Stroke Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Nervous System Diseases Stroke Vascular Diseases

Age range

40 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

Stroke causes significant upper-limb impairment in the acute stage; early, targeted rehabilitation leverages heightened neuroplasticity. Mirror therapy uses a mid-sagittal mirror to reflect movements of the non-paretic limb, creating the illusion of normal movement in the paretic limb, recruiting mirror neuron circuits and facilitating motor relearning. Prior work suggests MT can improve fine and gross motor skills, reduce spasticity, and increase active ROM. This trial operationalizes a pragmatic MT protocol integrated with standard inpatient/outpatient physiotherapy in acute stroke.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 40-55 years
  • Acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within the last 1 month
  • Unilateral hemiparesis/hemiplegia
  • Medically stable and cleared for rehabilitation
  • Able to follow verbal instructions; MMSE ≥ 24
  • Provides written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Recurrent stroke or bilateral involvement
  • Severe cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24)
  • Visual field deficits, unilateral neglect, or severe aphasia interfering with MT
  • Other neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson's, MS)
  • Orthopedic conditions affecting upper limb/trunk
  • Uncontrolled cardio-respiratory disease limiting exercise
  • Severe spasticity (MAS ≥ 3) in affected limb
  • Concurrent enrollment in other interventional trials
  • Inability/refusal to consent

Treatment and study plan

Mirror Therapy Conventional Physiotherapy

Behavioral

Experimental: Mirror Therapy + Conventional Physiotherapy Mirror therapy performed 20 min/session, 2 sessions/week for 1 week. A mirror is placed midsagittal, reflecting the non-paretic limb while hiding the paretic limb. Patients perform bilateral movements (wrist, finger, elbow flex/extension; reaching/grasping) while focusing on the mirror image. This is followed by 20 min of conventional physiotherapy, including strengthening, functional tasks, theraputty squeezes, finger extension with rubber band, towel wringing, lifting small objects, overhead reaching, and ball toss.

Active Comparator: Conventional Physiotherapy Only Conventional physiotherapy 20 min/session, 2 sessions/week for 1 week. Exercises include upper limb strengthening, functional task practice, theraputty squeezes, finger extension with rubber band, towel wringing, lifting small objects, overhead reaching, and ball toss.

Other names: intervention for stroke

Primary outcomes

  1. Upper-Limb Function (ARAT total score, 0-57)

    Time frame: 6 Months

    Change from baseline to end of week 1; higher scores = better function.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Motor Function (Motor Assessment Scale - relevant upper-limb items, 0-6 per item)

    Time frame: 6months

    Change baseline→week 1; higher = better.

Other outcomes

  1. Spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, 0-4)

    Time frame: 6 months

    Change baseline→week 1; lower = less spasticity.

  2. Range of Motion (Goniometric AROM at shoulder, elbow, wrist, finger joints; degrees)

    Time frame: 6 months

    Change baseline→week 1; higher = improved ROM.

Study contacts

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

Dr.Nadeem Ahmad, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

03451915105

Dr.Nadeem Ahmad, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

03028367237

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of Mirror Therapy in Improving Motor Recovery and Hand Function in Patients With Acute Stroke A Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: Stroke

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Oct 2, 2025
Registry last updated
Oct 2, 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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