CONSTRAINT-INDUCED MOVEMENT THERAPY (CIMT) VS. MIRROR THERAPY (MT) ON HAND FUNCTION AND SPASTICITY IN PATIENTS WITH HEMIPARESIS

Summary

This study aimed to compare the effects of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and Mirror Therapy (MT) on hand function and spasticity in individuals with hemiparesis. A total of 68 participants diagnosed with hemiparesis due to stroke or traumatic brain injury were recruited and randomly assigned to two equal groups. Group A received CIMT, while Group B underwent Mirror Therapy. Both interventions were administered over an 8-week period in a controlled rehabilitation setting. Functional assessments were conducted using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) to evaluate motor function and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) to measure spasticity. Data collection occurred at baseline, the 4th week, and the 8th week of the intervention. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic characteristics and baseline measurements, while inferential statistics, including repeated-measures ANOVA and independent t-tests, were applied to assess within- and between-group changes over time. The study also ensured assumptions of normality and sphericity were met to validate the statistical analyses. Demographic data such as age, gender, diagnosis type, and education level were also recorded to understand group comparability and potential influences on therapy outcomes. This study adds to the growing body of literature on non-invasive, evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for upper limb recovery.

Conditions

• Stroke
• Hemiparesis
• Hemiparesis After Stroke

Interventions

COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)

CIMT is a intensive training sessions of 6 hours/day for 5 weeks, focusing on functional tasks with the paretic arm while constraining the unaffected arm using a mitt or sling. Implement a constraint on the non-paretic arm to encourage increased use of the affected arm in daily activities. Use shaping techniques to gradually increase the complexity and difficulty of tasks performed with the affected arm (Rahman, 2016). Most commonly, the protocol continues to be 2 weeks in duration but the intensity is adjusted such that the restraint is worn for approximately 6 h per day and therapy is administered for 2 to 3 h per day (MacKenzie \& Viana, 2024). But this study implementing a 2 hour CIMT protocol with 6h restrain for 8 weeks in sub-acute stroke rehabilitation balances therapeutic intensity with practical considerations, potentially enhancing patient engagement and rehabilitation outcomes within clinical settings (Chen et al., 2014; Udoeyop, 2017).

COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Mirror Therapy (MT)

A specific intervention that uses a mirror to create a visual illusion of the affected limb, with the goal of improving motor function and quality of life in chronic stroke patients. In mirror therapy, the patient is asked to move the unaffected limb while watching the moving limb being reflected in the mirror. The congruent visual feedback through the mirror affects brain lesions and motor-related areas on the affected side, facilitating motor recovery. Patients with chronic stroke who can benefit from visual feedback to enhance motor recovery (Gandhi et al., 2020; Rothgangel \& Braun, 2013). Mirror therapy sessions should last at least 10 minutes daily, with the option to increase up to 30 minutes for optimal benefits. Practice mirror therapy exercises at least once a day. Perform gentle movements with the intact limb while observing its reflection in the mirror(Crosby et al., 2016).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lahore

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-09-15

Primary Completion

2025-03-19

Completion

2025-03-28

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations