RecruitingNot Applicable

Constraint-induced Movement Therapy Combined With Functional Electrical Stimulation in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Pakistan46 participantsStarted 2026-05-18

Plain-language summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) combined with Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) versus CIMT alone in improving upper limb function, reducing spasticity, and enhancing functional independence in children with cerebral palsy (CP). A total of 46 children aged 3 to 15 years with spastic or dyskinetic cerebral palsy will be recruited from rehabilitation centers and hospitals in Sukkur, Pakistan. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups: Group A will receive CIMT combined with FES, while Group B will receive CIMT alone. Both groups will undergo supervised therapy sessions five times per week for six weeks. Outcomes will be assessed before and after treatment using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function (MUUL), and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). The study aims to determine whether combining FES with CIMT provides greater improvements in motor recovery and daily functional performance in children with CP.

Who can participate

Age range

3 Years – 15 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: Children aged 3 to 15 years, including both male and female population. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), confirmed by medical assessment and clinical evaluation. Moderate to severe impairment in upper limb function (as determined by a relevant motor function assessment scale, e.g., the Modified Ashworth Scale. Children with spastic and dyskinetic types of cerebral palsy. Children with cognitive ability that allows for participation in therapy, as determined by minimental status examination. No history of recent interventions (e.g., surgery, Botox injections) that may interfere with study participation. Exclusion Criteria: Children with contraindications to functional electrical stimulation (e.g., pacemaker, skin conditions, or open wounds in the area of electrode placement). Presence of other significant neurological or musculoskeletal disorders that could confound the results (e.g., traumatic brain injury, muscular dystrophy)

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

Change in Upper Limb Function Using Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function (MUUL)

Timeframe: 3 weeks and after 6 weeks of intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07587476

SponsorMontiha Azeem

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-06-28

Contact for this trial

Muhammad Hafeezullah Tariq, MSPPT

03140029255 mangihafeezullah7@gmail.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cerebral Palsy (CP) trials