Motor Relearning Program Combined With Neck Stabilization Exercises in Subacute Stroke

NCT ID: NCT07332897

Last Updated: 2026-01-12

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 96 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-12-11
• Study Completion Date: 2026-04-20

Brief Summary

Stroke is a neurological event that leads to significant motor and functional impairments due to disruption of cerebral blood flow. The subacute phase, typically ranging from day of attack up to three months post-stroke, is a critical window for neuroplasticity and functional recovery. The proposed study will find out the effects of motor relearning program combined with neck stabilization exercises for health-related quality of life, sensorimotor function and upper extremity functionality.

Detailed Description

This is a randomized clinical trial. Target population is patients suffering from subacute stroke with an MMSE score of 24 and above. Data will be collected from The University of Lahore teaching Hospital and Shadman Medical Center. This study will include 96 participants with 10% dropout ratio, according to the selection criteria. The participants will be randomly divided into two groups through a computer-generated random number table.

Group A will recruit 48 patients to fulfil the inclusion criteria. These patients will undergo a 60 minutes session delivered for four weeks with 5 sessions every week, including warm-up, neck stabilization exercises, cranio-cervical flexion, cervical isometrics, 3 sets x 10 repetitions each 10 seconds hold, eye head coordination drills, 3 sets 60 seconds, focusing on target (right, left, up, down) neck control while reaching, 10 successful attempts, all performed in assisted sitting position. Combined with motor relearning program activities assisted supported sitting & standing grasping and releasing cylinder progressing to cloth, reaching targets forward and sideways, picking objects and transferring over shelves 2 meters apart, Coin stacking, assisted grooming and ADLs (combing hair, turning keys, drinking water) 10 successful attempts of each activity. Group B will recruit 48 patients which fulfill the inclusion criteria. These patients will be treated by routine physical therapy, evidence-based exercises including AAROM of shoulder, elbow & wrist joint, Scapular retraction, Shoulder and elbow isometrics, stretching of pectoralis minor and shoulder internal rotators, therapist assisted PNF diagonals for upper limb (Three sets of 10 repetitions each, squeeze hold for 10 seconds, stretch hold for 30 seconds and motor relearning program activities same as Group A, delivered under supervision over a timeframe of 60 minutes per session for four weeks, 5 times per week. The Statistical analysis will be performed through SPSS Software 21

Conditions

Stroke (Subacute)

Study Design

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

Study Groups

nterventional Group A

Experimental: Interventional Group A

These patients will be treated by neck stabilization exercises and motor relearning program with 3 sets of 10 repetitions each and 10 seconds along with 10 successful attempts in one session. Delivered five times a week for four weeks For this, participants will be given a comfortable assisted sitting and transition to standing position.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Motor relearning program combined with neck stabilization exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Neck stabilization exercises and Motor relearning program based functional activities will be performed

Interventional Group B

Active Comparator: Interventional Group B

These patients will be treated by routine physical therapy exercises with motor relearning program with three sets of 10 repetitions each, squeeze hold for 10 seconds, stretch hold for 30 seconds repetitions in one session for 4 weeks, five times every week. For this, participants will be given a comfortable supine lying transition to assisted sitting position.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Motor relearning program combined with routine physical therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

Routine Physical therapy exercises and Motor relearning program based functional activities will be performed

Interventions

Motor relearning program combined with neck stabilization exercises

Neck stabilization exercises and Motor relearning program based functional activities will be performed

Intervention Type: OTHER

Motor relearning program combined with routine physical therapy

Routine Physical therapy exercises and Motor relearning program based functional activities will be performed

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients diagnosed for stroke in subacute phase by a neurologist
• Patients with Mini Mental State Examination score of 24 and above

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with accompanying mental Disorders (unable to cooperate)
• Fracture of upper limb in last 6 months
• Recent surgery of upper periphery effecting mobility and motor functionality
• Non consenting to intervention

• Minimum Eligible Age: 35 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Lahore

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Shadman Medical Center

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

The University of Lahore Teaching Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

Other Identifiers

UOL/IREB

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id