Mirror Therapy in Children With Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age6-12
SponsorMarmara University
About this trial
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that frequently impairs upper extremity motor control and hand function, resulting in limitations in daily activities. Mirror therapy is a low-cost, easy-to-implement intervention that promotes motor learning by stimulating cortical reorganization and neuroplasticity. This randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of mirror therapy on upper extremity function, selective motor control, hand function, hand grip strength, and manual dexterity in children with hemiparetic CP.
Twenty-six children with hemiparetic CP will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving mirror therapy combined with conventional physiotherapy or a control group receiving sham mirror therapy combined with the same conventional physiotherapy program. The intervention will be administered over an 8-week period.
Baseline assessments will include the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Outcome measures collected before and after the intervention will include the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES), ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire, hand grip strength measured with the Jamar dynamometer, and manual dexterity assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test.
The study is expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of mirror therapy beyond conventional physiotherapy by using a sham-controlled design and to contribute to the development of standardized, evidence-based rehabilitation protocols for improving upper extremity function in children with hemiparetic CP.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Diagnosis of hemiparetic cerebral palsy
Aged between 6 and 12 years
Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) level I-III
Having received or currently receiving physiotherapy and rehabilitation for at least 6 months
Disqualifiers
Cognitive or communication impairments that would prevent participation in mirror therapy.
Inability to cooperate with the assessment or intervention procedures.
Presence of uncontrolled neurological disorders, such as epilepsy.
Musculoskeletal deformities or a history of upper extremity surgery.
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Mirror Therapy
Other interventionMirror therapy will be administered for approximately 20 minutes following conventional physiotherapy sessions, twice weekly for 8 weeks. During the intervention, participants will perform bilateral, symmetrical upper extremity movements while observing the mirror reflection of the unaffected upper limb to create the visual illusion of movement of the affected limb.
Sham Mirror Therapy
Other interventionSham mirror therapy will be administered for approximately 20 minutes following conventional physiotherapy sessions, twice weekly for 8 weeks. Participants will perform the same bilateral upper extremity exercises while the mirror is positioned to eliminate visual mirror feedback.
Conventional Physiotherapy
Other interventionIndividualized neurodevelopmental treatment-based physiotherapy including stretching, upper extremity strengthening exercises, mat activities, standing and gait training, and fine motor skill activities. The program will be delivered for approximately 40 minutes per session, twice weekly for 8 weeks.
Treatment groups
26 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Mirror GroupExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group B: Control GroupSham comparator 2 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in Selective Motor Control of the Upper Extremity
Selective motor control of the affected upper extremity will be assessed using the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES). The scale evaluates selective voluntary movement at the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and fingers. Higher scores indicate better selective motor control.
Time frame
Baseline and after the 8-week intervention2
Change in Manual Dexterity
Manual dexterity will be assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT). The test measures the time required to place and remove nine pegs using the affected hand. Shorter completion times indicate better manual dexterity.
Time frame
Baseline and after the 8-week interventionSecondary outcomes
1
Change in Manual Ability in Daily Activities
Manual ability in daily activities will be assessed using the ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire. The questionnaire evaluates the child's perceived difficulty in performing everyday bimanual activities. Higher scores indicate better manual ability.
Time frame
Baseline and after the 8-week intervention2
Change in Hand Grip Strength
Hand grip strength of the affected hand will be assessed using a Jamar hand dynamometer. Grip strength will be recorded in kilograms. Higher values indicate greater hand grip strength.
Time frame
Baseline and after the 8-week interventionLocations
Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Marmara University
Lead sponsor
Halic University
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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