Modified constraint-induced movement therapy (m-CIMT) for improving upper arm use after acute ischemic stroke

Effectiveness of m-CIMT of the Upper Limb in Acute Post-stroke Patients.

Not applicable Interventional Hospital Clinic of Barcelona · NCT07233161

This will try m-CIMT—restraining the unaffected arm and doing daily targeted exercises—to see if hospitalized adults within 15 days of an ischemic stroke regain better use of their affected arm.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment66 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHospital Clinic of Barcelona Academic / other
Locations1 site (Barcelona, Barcelona)
Trial IDNCT07233161 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The intervention delivers modified constraint-induced movement therapy over seven consecutive days in hospitalized patients within 15 days of an ischemic stroke. Each day participants wear a restraint on the unaffected upper limb for three hours and receive one focused physiotherapy session for the affected arm. The program emphasizes intensive, task-specific practice to increase use and functional recovery of the paretic limb. Patients with unstable medical conditions, prior bilateral upper limb strokes, or musculoskeletal injuries that limit the affected limb are excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults hospitalized within the first 15 days after an ischemic stroke who have a motor deficit in one upper limb, can follow simple instructions, and can provide informed consent are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with unstable clinical conditions, bilateral upper limb strokes, prior disabling upper limb injuries, severe behavioral disturbance, or inability to follow instructions are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience faster and greater recovery of arm function during the early post-stroke period.

How similar studies have performed: Constraint-induced movement therapies have shown benefit in subacute and chronic stroke populations, but evidence specifically in the very early acute phase is limited though promising.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Ischaemic stroke.
* Hospitalised patient (first 15 days).
* Ability to understand and execute simple instructions.
* Over 18 years of age.
* Upper limb motor deficit.
* Sign the informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unstable clinical/medical condition.
* Limitation of the upper limb due to a previous stroke.
* Strokes affecting both upper limbs bilaterally.
* Fractures/dislocations in the joints of the affected upper limb that may affect recovery.
* Severe behavioural disturbance.

Where this trial is running

Barcelona, Barcelona

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.
Conditions Isquemic StrokeUpper Limb Weakness Due to Central Neurologic Injurym-CIMTstrokeupper limb weaknessupper limb
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.