Evaluating Functional Outcomes of 3D-Printed Splints in Post-Stroke Upper Limb Recovery

NCT ID: NCT07243314

Last Updated: 2025-11-21

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-11-30

Study Completion Date

2027-09-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This study aims to evaluate the upper limb motor recovery using a 3D-printed dynamic orthosis compared to a conventional one as part of a rehabilitation program in individuals with chronic stroke.

The main question it seeks to answer:

Which type of dynamic splint (3D-printed or traditional), combined with the task-oriented therapy program, leads to greater improvement in affected upper-limb function, patient satisfaction, and usability in stroke patients? Researchers will compare these two types of dynamic splints.

Participants will:

Receive 20 sessions of task-oriented therapy combined with either a 3D-printed dynamic splint or a traditional dynamic splint.

Visit the clinic five times a week for a period of four weeks. Undergo assessments before and after the 4-week program.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Background: After a stroke, intensive motor rehabilitation is essential to improve upper limb function and independence. 3D-printed dynamic splints offer precise joint alignment, adjustable resistance, and enhanced comfort, facilitating repetitive, task-oriented practice and promoting neuroplasticity. To date, no studies have directly compared the effectiveness of 3D-printed dynamic splints with conventional dynamic splints combined with task-oriented therapy for improving upper limb function after stroke. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of 3D-printed versus conventional dynamic splints, both combined with task-oriented therapy, on upper limb motor recovery and patient satisfaction in chronic stroke patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial will assign participants to either a 3D-printed splint + task-oriented therapy group or a conventional splint + therapy group. The intervention will last 4 weeks, with five 60-minute sessions per week, and daily splint use for 6 hours.

Inclusion Criteria: Adults ≥18 years with chronic stroke and upper limb hemiparesis, able to understand and follow instructions, MMSE ≥24, mild to moderate upper-limb spasticity, and not participating in other clinical or research studies simultaneously. Exclusion Criteria: Severe spasticity, upper limb deformities or contractures, unilateral neglect, or severe language or cognitive impairments.Outcomes: Primary outcomes: Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Box and Block Test (BBT). Secondary outcomes: Motor Activity Log (MAL), Arabic version of Stroke Impact Scale (SIS-16), and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0).

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Stroke Stroke Rehabilitation Hemiparesis of the Upper Limb Following Stroke

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Caregivers

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

3D-Printed Dynamic Splint Group

will wear a 3D-printed dynamic splint at least 6 hours daily

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

3D Printed splint

Intervention Type DEVICE

Patients undergo 60-minute therapy sessions 5 times per week for 4 weeks, including stretching and task-oriented training.

Splint Protocol: A 3D-printed dynamic splint is worn during the 60-minute clinic session, plus an additional 5 hours daily on training days and 6 hours daily on non-training days

Dynamic Splint Group

will wear a conventional dynamic splint for at at least 6 hours

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

conventional splint

Intervention Type DEVICE

Patients undergo 60-minute therapy sessions 5 times per week for 4 weeks, including stretching and task-oriented training.

Splint Protocol: A conventional dynamic splint is worn during the 60-minute clinic session, plus an additional 5 hours daily on training days and 6 hours daily on non-training days

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

3D Printed splint

Patients undergo 60-minute therapy sessions 5 times per week for 4 weeks, including stretching and task-oriented training.

Splint Protocol: A 3D-printed dynamic splint is worn during the 60-minute clinic session, plus an additional 5 hours daily on training days and 6 hours daily on non-training days

Intervention Type DEVICE

conventional splint

Patients undergo 60-minute therapy sessions 5 times per week for 4 weeks, including stretching and task-oriented training.

Splint Protocol: A conventional dynamic splint is worn during the 60-minute clinic session, plus an additional 5 hours daily on training days and 6 hours daily on non-training days

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Over 18 years old.
2. Chronic stroke
3. Upper limb hemiparalysis
4. Ability to understand and follow orders and able to provide informed consent (Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) \> 24)
5. Upper-limb mild to moderate spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale 1+ to 3 at the wrist).
6. Not participating in other clinical or research studies at the same time

Exclusion Criteria

1. Had deficits in language or cognitive impairments that were likely to interfere with their cooperation in the study
2. Deformity or presented with severe upper-limb contractures
3. Inability to commit to the time requirement of the protocol.
4. Unilateral neglect
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

King Saud University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Zainab Saud Alshammari

Physical therapist

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City

Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Saudi Arabia

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

zainab S alshammari, physical therapist

Role: CONTACT

+966532984967

Dr. Alaa M Albishi, Associate Professor

Role: CONTACT

+966555090015

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Arwa H Aloumi

Role: primary

+966556746668

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Zheng Y, Liu G, Yu L, Wang Y, Fang Y, Shen Y, Huang X, Qiao L, Yang J, Zhang Y, Hua Z. Effects of a 3D-printed orthosis compared to a low-temperature thermoplastic plate orthosis on wrist flexor spasticity in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2020 Feb;34(2):194-204. doi: 10.1177/0269215519885174. Epub 2019 Nov 5.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 31686529 (View on PubMed)

Jeon HS, Woo YK, Yi CH, Kwon OY, Jung MY, Lee YH, Hwang S, Choi BR. Effect of intensive training with a spring-assisted hand orthosis on movement smoothness in upper extremity following stroke: a pilot clinical trial. Top Stroke Rehabil. 2012 Jul-Aug;19(4):320-8. doi: 10.1310/tsr1904-320.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 22750961 (View on PubMed)

Andringa AS, Van de Port IG, Meijer JW. Tolerance and effectiveness of a new dynamic hand-wrist orthosis in chronic stroke patients. NeuroRehabilitation. 2013;33(2):225-31. doi: 10.3233/NRE-130949.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 23949058 (View on PubMed)

Yang YS, Tseng CH, Fang WC, Han IW, Huang SC. Effectiveness of a New 3D-Printed Dynamic Hand-Wrist Splint on Hand Motor Function and Spasticity in Chronic Stroke Patients. J Clin Med. 2021 Sep 30;10(19):4549. doi: 10.3390/jcm10194549.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 34640564 (View on PubMed)

Chen ZH, Yang YL, Lin KW, Sun PC, Chen CS. Functional Assessment of 3D-Printed Multifunction Assistive Hand Device for Chronic Stroke Patients. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2022;30:1261-1266. doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2022.3173034. Epub 2022 May 17.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 35533167 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

Not found

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

No.: 151-2025-IRB

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.