Standard vs Dual-Task Hand-Arm Bimanual Training in Post-Stroke Patients
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Standard HABIT, Dual-Task-Oriented HABIT.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Stroke. Basic parameters: 40 years — 70 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Pakistan
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Comparative Effects of Standard and Dual Task Oriented Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Training on Cognitive Performance, Upper Limb Functions and Coordination Among Post-Stroke Patients
Overview
This study aims to compare the effects of standard and dual-task-oriented hand-arm bimanual intensive training on cognitive performance, upper limb function, and coordination in post-stroke patients. Stroke often leads to impairments in motor and cognitive functions, limiting independence in daily activities. This randomized controlled trial will include adult stroke patients who will be assigned to two groups: one receiving standard training and the other receiving dual-task-oriented training. The interventions will be provided over eight weeks. Outcomes will be assessed using standardized tools for motor function, coordination, and cognition. The study seeks to determine whether combining cognitive and motor tasks leads to better rehabilitation outcomes compared to standard therapy alone.
Detailed description
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, commonly resulting in deficits in upper limb function, coordination, and cognitive performance. These impairments significantly affect the ability to perform daily activities and reduce overall quality of life. Rehabilitation strategies that integrate both motor and cognitive components may enhance functional recovery and promote neuroplasticity.
Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training (HABIT) is a task-specific, repetitive, and goal-oriented intervention designed to improve bilateral upper limb function through coordinated use of both hands. While standard HABIT has demonstrated effectiveness in improving motor outcomes, dual-task-oriented HABIT incorporates simultaneous cognitive demands, such as attention and problem-solving, to better simulate real-life functional activities.
This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to compare the effects of standard HABIT and dual-task-oriented HABIT on cognitive performance, upper limb motor function, and coordination among post-stroke patients. A total of 20 participants aged 40-70 years with mild to moderate upper limb impairment will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group receiving a combination of standard and dual-task-oriented HABIT or the control group receiving standard HABIT only. The intervention will be delivered over eight weeks, with three sessions per week.
Outcome measures will include the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper limb function, Action Research Arm Test for functional performance, Finger-to-Nose test for coordination, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment for cognitive evaluation. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, mid-intervention (4 weeks), and post-intervention (8 weeks).
The findings of this study will provide evidence on whether integrating cognitive challenges into bimanual training leads to superior rehabilitation outcomes, supporting more comprehensive and functionally relevant stroke rehabilitation strategies.
Interventions
- Behavioral Standard HABIT
Participants will receive standard hand-arm bimanual intensive training for 8 weeks, with three sessions per week. - Other Dual-Task-Oriented HABIT
Participants will receive standard hand-arm bimanual intensive training for the first 4 weeks, followed by dual-task-oriented hand-arm bimanual intensive training for the remaining 4 weeks, with three sessions per week.
Primary outcome measures
- Upper Limb Motor Function [Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Both male and female' genders.
- Adults aged between 40 and 70 years.
- Clinically diagnosed ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke confirmed by neuroimaging (CT or MRI).
- Modified Ashworth Scale 1, 1+ and 2 will be included.
- Presence of mild to moderate upper limb motor impairment (as defined by Fugl Meyer Assessment score range 23-55 or clinical evaluation).
- Ability to comprehend and follow simple verbal instructions.
Exclusion criteria
- Severe cognitive impairment or expressive/receptive aphasia limiting effective communication. (10)
- Other neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease) or psychiatric illnesses that could confound results.(11)
- Exclusion of patients with prior upper limb impairments (e.g., arthritis) unrelated to the recent stroke event.(10)
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Pakistan · 1 center
- Sahara Hospital — Narowal
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07578792 · Muhammad Umar Butt