Comparative Effects of PNF and mCIMT on Lower Limb Function in Patient With Stroke

NCT ID: NCT07331714

Last Updated: 2026-01-12

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 54 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-04-17
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-17

Brief Summary

Stroke, which is frequently characterized by weakness, poor balance, and decreased mobility that impede independence in everyday activities, has been identified as a major cause of long-term impairment globally. There have been reports of an increasing number of stroke survivors in Pakistan, however access to proper rehabilitation is sometimes hampered by a lack of resources and awareness. It is thought that improving walking ability, balance, and day-to-day functioning requires the restoration of lower limb function. Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) have been found to be successful physiotherapy interventions for improving motor recovery, but there is little comparative data on their impact on lower limb function.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of PNF and mCIMT in order to identify whether strategy is better for lower limb rehabilitation after stroke. The findings are expected to give physiotherapists evidence-based recommendations for treatment choices, enabling stroke patients to recover more quickly and become more independent. In the end, community-level advantages are anticipated in the form of less impairment, less caregiver stress, and an overall improvement in the quality of life for stroke victims.

Conditions

Stroke

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

PNF

First receive a general preparatory treatment, including hot pack and TENS for 10 minutes to facilitate relaxation, followed by active range of motion exercises as baseline therapy The intervention focused on PNF diagonal patterns, rhythmic initiation, resistance training and dynamic reversals.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

PNF

Intervention Type: OTHER

PNF training was administered for 10 weeks (Time), 5 days per week (Frequency), for 45 minutes per session (Time), using moderate-to-maximal manual resistance (Intensity) with rhythmic initiation, diagonal patterns, dynamic reversals, and resistance training (Type)

mCIMT

Initially all participants will receive baseline treatment which include general relaxation followed by AROM. Limb will be constraint to 2.5 hours for 5 days a week and therapy time will be 45 minutes focusing on the use of affected limb up to 10 weeks. Side stepping, Ball kicking, Stair climbing, and Knee control on a step.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

mCIMT

Intervention Type: OTHER

mCIMT was administered for 10 weeks (Duration), 5 days per week (Frequency), for 45 minutes per session (Time), involving task-oriented lower limb activities including side stepping, ball kicking, stair climbing, and knee control on a step (Type), performed at moderate functional intensity (Intensity).

Interventions

PNF

PNF training was administered for 10 weeks (Time), 5 days per week (Frequency), for 45 minutes per session (Time), using moderate-to-maximal manual resistance (Intensity) with rhythmic initiation, diagonal patterns, dynamic reversals, and resistance training (Type)

Intervention Type: OTHER

mCIMT

mCIMT was administered for 10 weeks (Duration), 5 days per week (Frequency), for 45 minutes per session (Time), involving task-oriented lower limb activities including side stepping, ball kicking, stair climbing, and knee control on a step (Type), performed at moderate functional intensity (Intensity).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Patients who are chronic stroke post-stroke or longer will be included. Both males and females are included. Stroke between ages 45 -75 years. Mild to moderate disability assessed using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) with a score of 2 to 3.

Pain more than 4 on visual analogue scale in the affected lower limb.

Exclusion Criteria

Recurring stroke Cognitive impairment (Less than 24 points on Mini Mental Status Examination) Peripheral vascular disease (such as Parkinsonism, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injury.

No surgical procedure performed on lower limbs

• Minimum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Riffat Malik

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

Locations

Sehat Medical Complex Hanjerwal

Lahore, , Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

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Other Identifiers

REC/RCR & AHS/24/0294

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id