Mirror therapy plus CIMT versus CIMT alone for improving hand and arm function after stroke

Comparative Effects of Mirror Therapy and Constraint-induced Movement Therapy on Grip Strength, Hand Dexterity, and Upper Limb Motor Function in Post-stroke Patients.

NA · Riphah International University · NCT07139015

This test will see if adding mirror therapy to constraint-induced movement therapy helps people who had a stroke in the past six months improve their hand strength, dexterity, and arm movement more than CIMT alone.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment42 (estimated)
Ages40 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorRiphah International University (other)
Locations1 site (Lahore, Punjab Province)
Trial IDNCT07139015 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized trial will enroll 32 adults aged 40 and older who had a confirmed stroke within the past six months and have some voluntary movement (Brunnstrom grade ≥2). Participants are randomly assigned to receive either standard constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) alone or CIMT combined with mirror therapy, with sessions five days per week for six weeks lasting 60–90 minutes each. Outcome measures before and after the intervention include grip strength (hand-held dynamometer), manual dexterity (Box and Block Test), and upper-limb motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment). The trial is conducted at Evercare Hospital Lahore and sponsored by Riphah International University.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 40 or older who had a stroke within the last six months, confirmed by imaging, and who demonstrate some voluntary motor function (Brunnstrom grade 2 or higher).

Not a fit: Patients with sensory deficits, major visual or auditory impairments, shoulder injuries or adhesive capsulitis, or other musculoskeletal disorders are excluded and are unlikely to benefit from this specific protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the combination could produce greater gains in hand strength and dexterity, helping stroke survivors regain more independence in daily activities.

How similar studies have performed: Both CIMT and mirror therapy have shown benefits for upper-limb recovery after stroke in prior studies, but rigorous randomized comparisons of the combined approach are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male and female patients
* Age 40 years and above
* Diagnosed patients confirmed by CT scan and MRI
* History of stroke not more than 6 months
* Brunnstrom grade 2 and above

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients having history of musculoskeletal disorders
* History of shoulder injuries or adhesive capsulitis
* Patients having visual and auditory deficit will be excluded
* Patients who have sensory deficit will be excluded

Where this trial is running

Lahore, Punjab Province

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Stroke

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.