Mirror Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Stroke Patients (NCT07537465) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Mirror Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Stroke Patients
Turkey (Türkiye)40 participantsStarted 2022-10-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical study is to evaluate the effectiveness of mirror therapy in treating complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in patients after stroke using clinical assessments, electrophysiological evaluations, and ultrasonographic measurements by comparing pre- and post-treatment outcomes.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does mirror therapy lead to improvements in clinical outcomes in post-stroke patients with CRPS when assessed before and after treatment? Does mirror therapy reduce pain, improve motor function, and enhance functional independence based on clinical assessments? Does mirror therapy reduce swelling (edema) in the affected limb as measured by ultrasonographic evaluations? Does mirror therapy lead to changes in sympathetic nervous system function as assessed by electrophysiological evaluations?
Researchers will compare mirror therapy to sham mirror therapy (a similar procedure without therapeutic effect) to determine its effectiveness.
Participants will:
Be randomly assigned to either a mirror therapy group or a control group Receive conventional rehabilitation therapy and contrast bath treatment for 4 weeks Receive either mirror therapy or sham mirror therapy for 20 minutes daily Be evaluated before and after treatment using clinical scales, electrophysiological tests, and ultrasonographic measurements.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients with a first-ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
* Time since stroke onset of ≤ 12 months
* Diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type 1 according to the Budapest criteria
* In the dystrophic stage (Stage 2) of CRPS
* Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \> 24
* Brunnstrom upper extremity-hand stage between 1 and 4
* Age between 18 and 65 years
Exclusion Criteria:
* Unstable medical condition
* Presence of neglect
* Severe aphasia preventing completion of assessment scales
* Presence of a concomitant lower motor neuron lesion
* History of fracture, surgery, or amputation in the affected limb
* Presence of implanted electronic devices (e.g., cardiac pacemaker)
* Local infection at the application site
* Use of oral steroids or pregabalin/gabapentin within the last 3 months
* History of intra-articular injection, botulinum toxin injection, or suprascapular nerve block within the last 3 months
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS)