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Roods vs PNF for Upper Limb Function in Acute MCA Stroke

NCT07616622 · Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 28

Last updated 2026-06-01

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke often causes weakness or stiffness in the arm and hand, making daily activities difficult. This study compares two physical therapy approaches - Rood's facilitatory techniques (using touch, quick stretch, and ice to activate muscles) and PNF sequential patterns (using diagonal movement patterns) - to improve arm function in acute stroke patients. Both groups will also receive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). A total of 28 patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups and receive treatment three times per week for eight weeks. Arm function will be measured using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and muscle stiffness will be measured using the Modified Ashworth Scale before and after treatment.

Conditions

  • Stroke
  • Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction

Interventions

DEVICE

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Biphasic waveform NMES at 30-40Hz frequency with pulse duration of 200-300μs, producing comfortable but visible muscle contraction. Applied to affected upper limb for 30 minutes per session, three times per week for eight weeks.

PROCEDURE

Rood's Facilitatory Techniques

Quick stretch applied before or during movement to activate muscle spindles; tactile stimulation (light stroking) over muscle belly for 10-20 seconds; icing for 5-7 seconds on tendon or muscle surface immediately preceding activation. Applied three times per week for eight weeks following NMES.

PROCEDURE

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

PNF sequential training with upper limb diagonal functional patterns (D1 and D2). Techniques include rhythmic initiation, dynamic reversals, repetitive contractions, and combination of isotonic contractions with moderate resistance according to patient's capabilities. Each session includes 8-12 repetitions per pattern over 20-30 minutes, three times per week for eight weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Faisalabad

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
40 Years
Max Age
60 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-01-01
Primary Completion
2026-06-15
Completion
2026-07-15

Countries

  • Pakistan

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07616622 on ClinicalTrials.gov