Roods vs PNF for Upper Limb Function in Acute MCA Stroke (RVP-MCA)

May 23, 2026 updated by: Dr. Marium Zafar, University of Faisalabad

Comparison Between Roods Facilitatory Techniques and Sequential PNF Pattern on Upper Limb Function in Acute Phase of Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke Patients

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.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Enrolling by invitation

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This is a single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. The study will be conducted at three settings in Faisalabad, Pakistan: Allied Hospital, Madinah Teaching Hospital, and Shahid Heera's Health Clinic. Adult patients (≥18 years) with CT or MRI-confirmed MCA stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), mild to moderate upper limb motor dysfunction (MRC ≥2), and cognitive competence (MoCA ≥19) will be included. Exclusion criteria include severe comorbidities, fixed contractures, severe cognitive impairment, skin contraindications to sensory stimulation, and inability to provide consent. A sample size of 28 participants (14 per group) was calculated using Rao soft app based on previous literature. Participants will be randomly assigned using a computer-generated sequence. The single-blind design keeps participants unaware of group allocation. Group A receives NMES followed by Rood's facilitatory techniques: quick stretch before or during movement to activate muscle spindles, tactile stimulation (light stroking) over the muscle belly for 10-20 seconds, and icing for 5-7 seconds on the tendon or muscle surface immediately preceding activation. Group B receives NMES followed by PNF sequential training using conventional upper limb diagonal functional patterns (D1 and D2). PNF techniques include rhythmic initiation, dynamic reversals, repetitive contractions, and combination of isotonic contractions with moderate resistance, performing 8-12 repetitions per pattern over 20-30 minutes per session. NMES parameters: biphasic waveform at 30-40Hz frequency with pulse duration of 200-300μs, producing comfortable visible contraction, administered for 30 minutes per session. Both groups receive interventions three times per week for eight weeks. Outcome measures: Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE, score range 0-66) measures motor function; Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS, score range 0-4) measures muscle tone. Assessments are conducted at baseline and post-intervention by a qualified physiotherapist. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
28

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Faisalābad, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 3800
        • The University of Faisalabad

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults (40-60 years) with confirmed MCA stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) on neuroimaging (CT or MRI)
  • Mild to moderate upper limb motor dysfunction with MRC ≥2 for proximal limb motor strength
  • Cognitive competence to understand instructions (MoCA ≥19 or equivalent)
  • First stroke, acute or subacute phase
  • Willingness to provide written informed consent
  • Both male and female genders

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe coexisting medical disorders (heart, liver, kidney failure; malignant tumors)
  • Fixed musculoskeletal abnormalities or contracture in affected upper limb
  • Severe cognitive impairment or aphasia preventing adherence or consent (MMSE below threshold)
  • Skin sores, ulcers, or hypersensitivity (e.g., to cold) contraindicated for sensory stimulation
  • Refusal or inability to give informed consent

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Rood's Facilitatory Techniques Group
Participants receive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) followed by Rood's facilitatory techniques including quick stretch, tactile stimulation for 10-20 seconds over muscle belly, and icing for 5-7 seconds on tendon or muscle surface. Interventions delivered three times per week for eight weeks.
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.
Active Comparator: PNF Sequential Pattern Group
Participants receive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) followed by PNF sequential training with upper limb diagonal functional patterns (D1 and D2), including rhythmic initiation, dynamic reversals, repetitive contractions, and isotonic contractions with moderate resistance (8-12 repetitions per pattern over 20-30 minutes). Interventions delivered three times per week for eight weeks.
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: 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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Upper Limb Motor Function
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention)
Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE). A standardized 66-point scale assessing motor recovery after stroke based on Brunnstrom stages. Evaluates shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, and coordination functions. Higher scores indicate better motor function.
Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Muscle Tone
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention)
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). A 5-point scale (0-4) measuring resistance during passive stretching of the affected upper limb muscles. 0 = normal tone; 4 = rigidity. Assesses spasticity reduction.
Baseline and 8 weeks (post-intervention)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Faisalabad

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
January 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 23, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 1, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 1, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 23, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • TUF/EIRB/ 220 /26

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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