Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Leap Motion-Based Exercises in Cerebral Palsy

NCT ID: NCT07311018

Last Updated: 2026-01-09

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

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-01-01

Study Completion Date

2026-07-15

Brief Summary

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Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders resulting from a permanent but non-progressive lesion in the developing brain, which affects the development of movement and posture and may lead to activity limitations. Upper extremity involvement is observed in approximately 60% of children with CP. Abnormal muscle tone, imbalance between agonist and antagonist muscles, spasticity, alignment problems, reduced muscle strength, and impaired motor control are among the upper extremity impairments seen in CP. As a result, hand use is typically affected in a way that negatively influences the performance of daily living activities. Upper extremity functionality and hand use are crucial for participation in daily life and overall quality of life in children with CP.

In addition to conventional rehabilitation methods, advances in technology have introduced various new modalities for upper extremity rehabilitation. The aim of the present project is to investigate the effects of Leap Motion-based exercise intervention and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on hand functions in children with spastic CP.

A total of 30 children aged 6-15 years with a diagnosis of spastic CP and distal upper extremity involvement will be included in the study. To evaluate eligibility according to the inclusion criteria, gross motor function level will be assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS); hand skills will be assessed using the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS); upper extremity muscle tone will be assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS); and passive wrist extension range of motion (ROM) will be measured using an electronic goniometer.

Following eligibility confirmation, baseline assessments will be conducted. At baseline wrist ROM will be measured using an electronic goniometer; selective motor control of the wrist will be assessed using the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES); hand functions will be evaluated using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test; daily hand use will be assessed using the ABILHAND-Kids; and wrist extensor and flexor strength and activation will be evaluated via surface electromyography (sEMG).

All participants will then undergo a 4-week routine conventional exercise program (3 sessions per week, 40 minutes per session). At the end of this 4-week period assessments will be repeated (at week 4). Subsequently, the 30 children with CP will be randomly allocated into two groups: the Leap Motion Control group (n = 15) and the NMES group (n = 15). Both groups will receive an 8-week intervention consisting of 3 sessions per week, each lasting 60 minutes (20 minutes of Leap Motion-based exercises or 20 minutes of NMES application, in addition to 40 minutes of conventional exercises). At the end of the 8-week intervention, all assessments will be repeated ( at week 12).

For statistical analyses, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23.0 for Windows will be used.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Leap Motion Group

Participants in this group will perform upper extremity exercises using the Leap Motion Controller combined with virtual reality-based training, in addition to conventional rehabilitation.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Leap Motion-Based Exercise Program

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants assigned to the Leap Motion group will receive Leap Motion-based upper extremity exercise training. The program consists of interactive virtual reality tasks targeting wrist and hand movements. Each session includes 20 minutes of Leap Motion-based exercises, delivered three times per week for 8 weeks. In addition, participants will receive 40 minutes of conventional upper extremity exercises per session (one session is total 60 minutes).

Conventional Exercise Program

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

All participants will receive routine conventional upper extremity exercises. During the pre-intervention phase, participants will complete a 4-week program consisting of 40 minutes per session, three times per week. During the 8-week intervention period, both groups will continue to receive 40 minutes of conventional exercises in each session.

NMES Group

Participants in this group will receive Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) applied to the wrist extensor muscles, in addition to conventional rehabilitation.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

NMES

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants assigned to the NMES group will receive neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to the wrist extensor muscles. NMES will be administered for 20 minutes per session, three times per week, for 8 weeks, following standard pediatric rehabilitation parameters. Each session will also include 40 minutes of conventional upper extremity exercises ( one session is total 60 minutes).

Conventional Exercise Program

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

All participants will receive routine conventional upper extremity exercises. During the pre-intervention phase, participants will complete a 4-week program consisting of 40 minutes per session, three times per week. During the 8-week intervention period, both groups will continue to receive 40 minutes of conventional exercises in each session.

Interventions

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Leap Motion-Based Exercise Program

Participants assigned to the Leap Motion group will receive Leap Motion-based upper extremity exercise training. The program consists of interactive virtual reality tasks targeting wrist and hand movements. Each session includes 20 minutes of Leap Motion-based exercises, delivered three times per week for 8 weeks. In addition, participants will receive 40 minutes of conventional upper extremity exercises per session (one session is total 60 minutes).

Intervention Type DEVICE

NMES

Participants assigned to the NMES group will receive neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to the wrist extensor muscles. NMES will be administered for 20 minutes per session, three times per week, for 8 weeks, following standard pediatric rehabilitation parameters. Each session will also include 40 minutes of conventional upper extremity exercises ( one session is total 60 minutes).

Intervention Type DEVICE

Conventional Exercise Program

All participants will receive routine conventional upper extremity exercises. During the pre-intervention phase, participants will complete a 4-week program consisting of 40 minutes per session, three times per week. During the 8-week intervention period, both groups will continue to receive 40 minutes of conventional exercises in each session.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Diagnosis of spastic unilateral or bilateral cerebral palsy based on clinical and MRI findings.
* Involvement of the distal upper extremity (wrist and/or fingers).
* Aged between 6 and 15 years.
* No history of botulinum toxin injection or surgical intervention to the upper extremity within the past 6 months.
* Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-III.
* Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels I-III.
* Upper extremity spasticity corresponding to 0, 1, or 1+ on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS).
* Passive wrist extension limitation not exceeding 10 degrees.
* Ability to follow verbal instructions (mental level reported as "normal" or "mild mental retardation" in the medical record).

Exclusion Criteria

* Currently participating in a specific hand rehabilitation program.
* Presence of visual or hearing impairment.
* History of epilepsy.
* Presence of chronic, orthopedic, or systemic conditions that may interfere with participation.
* GMFCS levels IV or V.
* MACS levels IV or V.
Minimum Eligible Age

6 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

15 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Medipol University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Hande Özlü Erdoğan

PhD Candidate- MSc. Physiotherapist- Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Istanbul Medipol University, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department

Istanbul, Beykoz, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

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Hande Özlü Erdoğan, MSc, PhD Candidate, PT

Role: CONTACT

+905367075474

Gülay Aras Bayram, Assoc. Prof. Dr., PhD, PT

Role: CONTACT

+905054966284

Facility Contacts

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Gülay Aras Bayram, Assoc. Prof. Dr., PhD, PT

Role: primary

+905054966284

References

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Other Identifiers

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E-10840098-202.3.02-3234

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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