TELE-REHABILITATION VERSUS CLINIC-BASED MODIFIED CONSTRAINT-INDUCED MOVEMENT THERAPY FOR UPPER LIMB FUNCTION IN CHRONIC STROKE PATIENTS (TELE-mCIMT)

July 18, 2026 updated by: Kainat Tariq

Stroke commonly results in persistent upper limb impairment that limits functional independence and participation in daily activities. Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) is an evidence-based intervention for improving upper limb function after stroke. Tele-rehabilitation has emerged as an alternative method of delivering rehabilitation services, potentially improving accessibility while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

This randomized controlled trial will compare the effectiveness of tele-rehabilitation-based mCIMT with clinic-based mCIMT in individuals with chronic stroke. Sixty-eight eligible participants will be randomly allocated into two groups. The tele-rehabilitation group will receive supervised mCIMT through virtual sessions combined with a structured home exercise program, while the clinic-based group will receive the same intervention in a clinical setting. Both groups will receive treatment three times per week for 6 weeks.

Upper limb function, spasticity, motor performance, and intrinsic motivation will be assessed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention using the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UEFMA), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), and Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). The study aims to determine whether tele-rehabilitation is as effective as clinic-based mCIMT for improving upper limb function in individuals with chronic stroke.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study is a single-center, randomized controlled trial designed to compare the effectiveness of tele-rehabilitation-based modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) with clinic-based mCIMT in individuals with chronic stroke. A total of 68 participants meeting the eligibility criteria will be recruited from the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital and randomly allocated into two groups using the sealed envelope method. Outcome assessors will remain blinded to group allocation.

Participants in the tele-rehabilitation group will attend an initial in-person assessment followed by supervised virtual rehabilitation sessions. The intervention will include heat application, self-stretching, active-assisted range of motion exercises, and task-oriented modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy. Participants will perform functional upper limb activities while wearing a constraint mitt on the unaffected upper limb during supervised sessions and for 4 hours daily at home.

Participants in the clinic-based group will receive the same rehabilitation components, including heat application, stretching, range of motion exercises, and task-oriented modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, delivered face-to-face in the rehabilitation clinic. Treatment sessions will be conducted three times per week for 6 weeks, with home practice using the constraint mitt for 4 hours daily.

Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline and after completion of the 6-week intervention. The primary outcome measures will include upper limb motor function assessed using the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UEFMA) and spasticity assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Secondary outcome measures will include the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). The study will evaluate whether tele-rehabilitation-based mCIMT provides comparable or superior improvements in upper limb function, motor performance, spasticity, and motivation compared with clinic-based mCIMT in individuals with chronic stroke.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

68

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 Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000
        • Recruiting
        • Shadman Medical Center, Lahore
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Kainat Tariq, MSPTN

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:

  • Participant with age from 35 to 75 years
  • Both gender
  • Patients after 6 month of stroke.
  • Participant with flexion and abduction at shoulder minimum 10-15 degree and 5-10 degree at wrist and thumb/digit.
  • Participants with access to a smartphone or laptop with internet connectivity and the ability to use it for tele-rehabilitation sessions.
  • Participant with modified ashworth scale score of 2 or higher.
  • Participants who have internet access and can also engage in video conferences.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patient with any neurological issues apart from stroke that might impact motor function.
  • Patient who is not able to follow the commands or are unable to cooperate.
  • Patient with any autoimmune disorder like rheumatoid arthritis that might impact arm function.
  • Patient with history of epilepsy. Participant who are involved in any fitness program that can improve upper extremity function.

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: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: group A Tele-Rehabilitation-Based Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
Participants will receive modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) delivered through tele-rehabilitation. The intervention will include supervised virtual sessions consisting of heat application, self-stretching, active-assisted range of motion exercises, and task-oriented functional activities. Participants will wear a constraint mitt on the unaffected upper limb during supervised sessions and for 4 hours daily at home. Treatment will be provided 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.
Behavioral: Tele-Rehabilitation-Based Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
Participants will receive modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) delivered through tele-rehabilitation. The intervention will include supervised virtual sessions comprising heat application, self-stretching, active-assisted range of motion exercises, and task-oriented functional activities. Participants will wear a constraint mitt on the unaffected upper limb during supervised sessions and for 4 hours daily at home. Treatment will be delivered 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.
Active Comparator: group B Clinic-Based Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
Participants will receive modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) delivered in a clinical setting. The intervention will include heat application, stretching, range of motion exercises, and task-oriented functional activities under therapist supervision. Participants will wear a constraint mitt on the unaffected upper limb during treatment sessions and for 4 hours daily at home. Treatment will be provided 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.
Behavioral: Clinic-Based Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
Participants will receive modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) delivered in a clinical setting. The intervention will include heat application, stretching, range of motion exercises, and task-oriented functional activities under therapist supervision. Participants will wear a constraint mitt on the unaffected upper limb during treatment sessions and continue constraint use for 4 hours daily at home. Treatment will be delivered 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UEFMA)
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 6
The Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UEFMA) will be used to evaluate upper limb motor recovery. Changes in UEFMA scores from baseline to the end of the 6-week intervention will be compared between the tele-rehabilitation and clinic-based modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy groups.
Baseline and Week 6

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Kainat Tariq

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Kainat Tariq, MSPTN, The University of Lahore, Lahore

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 (Estimated)

July 18, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 6, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 6, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 18, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 18, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 22, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 18, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • UOL/IREB/25/09/0038

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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