CIMT Versus HABIT in Late Sub-Acute Post-Stroke Rehabilitation (CIMT-HABIT)

June 1, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Comparative Effects of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy and Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training for Upper Extremity Function in Late Sub-Acute Post-Stroke Patients

This study will compare the effects of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy and Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training on upper extremity function in late sub-acute post-stroke patients. It will be a randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated into two groups. One group will receive Constraint Induced Movement Therapy, while the other group will receive Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training. Both groups will also receive standard physiotherapy for mobility and postural control. The intervention will continue for 3 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention using upper limb function and motor control assessment tools.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Stroke commonly affects upper extremity function and may reduce a patient's ability to perform daily activities independently. In the late sub-acute phase after stroke, structured rehabilitation may help improve arm and hand function, motor control, and real-world use of the affected upper limb. Constraint Induced Movement Therapy encourages use of the affected upper limb by restricting the unaffected arm and providing intensive task-oriented training. Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training focuses on coordinated use of both hands through functional bimanual tasks. This study will compare these two rehabilitation approaches in late sub-acute post-stroke patients. Findings may help guide evidence-based selection of upper limb rehabilitation strategies for improving functional recovery after stroke.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

34

Phase

  • 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
      • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 55100
        • Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Adults aged 40 years and above.

  • Diagnosed with unilateral ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.
  • Stroke duration between 3 to 6 months.
  • Mini-Mental State Examination score of 24 or above.
  • Able and willing to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Severe pain in the more affected upper limb on verbal rating scale.

  • Spasticity greater than 3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale in the affected upper limb.
  • Unstable cardiovascular conditions.
  • Any traumatic musculoskeletal injury of the upper limb.

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
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Group
Participants in this arm will receive Constraint Induced Movement Therapy for 3 weeks. The unaffected arm will be constrained with a mitt for 90% of waking hours, and the affected arm will receive intensive task-oriented training for 2 hours per day, 5 days per week. Training tasks will include reaching, grasping, manipulating, dressing, and eating activities. Participants will also receive standard physiotherapy for mobility and postural control.
Behavioral: Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy will be provided for 3 weeks. The unaffected upper limb will be constrained with a mitt for 90% of waking hours. Participants will receive intensive task-oriented training of the affected upper limb for 2 hours per day, 5 days per week. Activities will include reaching, grasping, manipulating objects, dressing, and eating tasks. Standard physiotherapy for mobility and postural control will also be provided.
Other Names:
  • CIMT
Active Comparator: Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Group
Participants in this arm will receive Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training for 3 weeks. Training will be provided for 2 hours per day, 5 days per week, using symmetrical and asymmetrical bimanual activities such as folding clothes and pouring water. Participants will also receive standard physiotherapy for mobility and postural control.
Behavioral: Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training
Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training will be provided for 3 weeks. Participants will receive supervised bimanual upper limb training for 2 hours per day, 5 days per week. Activities will include symmetrical and asymmetrical bilateral tasks such as folding clothes, pouring water, object transfer, and coordinated hand use. Standard physiotherapy for mobility and postural control will also be provided.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Fugl-Meyer Assessment - Upper Extremity (FMA-UE)
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 3 (Post-intervention)
Measures motor recovery and voluntary movement of the affected upper limb after stroke.
Baseline and Week 3 (Post-intervention)
Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 3 (Post-intervention)
Assesses upper extremity functional ability including grasp, grip, pinch, and gross movement.
Baseline and Week 3 (Post-intervention)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Motor Activity Log (MAL)
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 3
Evaluates real-world use of the affected arm including Amount of Use and Quality of Movement.
Baseline and Week 3
Box and Block Test (BBT)
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 3
Assesses gross manual dexterity by counting blocks transferred within 60 seconds.
Baseline and Week 3
Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT)
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 3
Measures functional hand performance during simulated daily activities.
Baseline and Week 3
Adult Assisting Hand Assessment (Ad-AHA)
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 3
Measures effectiveness of affected hand use during bimanual task performance.
Baseline and Week 3

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Ambreen I IQBAL, Riphah International University Role

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)

June 5, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 6, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 6, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 1, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 1, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 4, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 1, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • HAFSA LATIF

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be shared because no formal data-sharing mechanism or repository has been established for this academic study. Participant confidentiality and privacy will be maintained.

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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