StrokeMT-CRPS-STNCT07537465
Mirror Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Stroke Patients
A study testing Mirror Therapy in people with Stroke and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I (CRPS I), run by Başakşehir Çam & Sakura City Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Stroke, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I (CRPS I), Mirror Therapy
- What is being tested?
- Mirror Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Oct 2022to 15 Oct 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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)
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- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Efficacy of Mirror Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Post-Stroke Patients
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:
Read more
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.
Read the detailed description
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a challenging complication following stroke, characterized by pain, edema, autonomic dysfunction, and impaired motor function. It significantly affects rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life. Despite various treatment approaches, optimal management remains difficult. Mirror therapy has emerged as a non-invasive rehabilitation technique that provides visual feedback and may influence cortical reorganization and pain modulation. Additionally, it may have effects on autonomic function, particularly the sympathetic nervous system.
This prospective, randomized, single-blind study was conducted in the inpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation clinic of Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital between October 2022 and October 2023. Patients with post-stroke CRPS who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned to either a mirror therapy group or a control group. Both groups received a standardized conventional rehabilitation program and contrast bath therapy. The intervention group additionally received mirror therapy, while the control group received sham mirror therapy.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of mirror therapy in post-stroke CRPS through a multidimensional approach. Clinical status, functional outcomes, electrophysiological parameters related to sympathetic nervous system function, and ultrasonographic measurements of soft tissue changes were assessed before and after the intervention period.
This study provides comprehensive evaluation of mirror therapy effects by combining clinical assessments with objective electrophysiological and imaging-based measurements. The findings are expected to contribute to the understanding of the role of mirror therapy in the management of CRPS after stroke and to support its use as an accessible and complementary rehabilitation approach.
- Being tested
- Mirror Therapy, Sham Mirror Therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Stroke, Complex Regional Pain Syndromes
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mirror TherapyBehavioural
Mirror therapy was applied for 20 minutes daily for 4 weeks in addition to a conventional rehabilitation program and contrast bath therapy. Patients performed movements of the unaffected upper limb while watching its reflection in a mirror positioned in the mid-sagittal plane, creating the illusion of movement in the affected limb.
Sham Mirror TherapyBehavioural
Sham mirror therapy was applied for 20 minutes daily for 4 weeks in addition to a conventional rehabilitation program and contrast bath therapy. The non-reflective side of the mirror was used so that no visual feedback of the affected limb was provided, and patients performed similar movements without the mirror illusion.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mirror Therapy Group | Experimental | Participants in this arm received conventional rehabilitation therapy and contrast bath therapy for 4 weeks in addition to mirror therapy for 20 minutes daily Receives: Behavioral: Mirror Therapy |
| Sham Mirror Therapy Group | Sham comparator | Participants in this arm received conventional rehabilitation therapy and contrast bath therapy for 4 weeks in addition to sham mirror therapy for 20 minutes daily Receives: Behavioral: Sham Mirror Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS)
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after the 4-week treatment period.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (9)
Change in motor recovery (Brunnstrom Staging)
Motor recovery will be assessed using Brunnstrom Staging before and after treatment.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in upper extremity motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment)
Upper extremity motor function will be evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment before and after treatment.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, MAS)
Spasticity will be assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale before and after treatment.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in functional independence (Functional Independence Measure, FIM)
Functional independence will be assessed using the Functional Independence Measure before and after treatment.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in neuropathic pain (DN4)
Neuropathic pain will be evaluated using the DN4 questionnaire before and after treatment.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in neuropathic pain (LANSS)
Neuropathic pain will be evaluated using the LANSS scale before and after treatment.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in sympathetic nervous system function (sympathetic skin response)
Sympathetic nervous system function will be evaluated using sympathetic skin response measurements before and after treatment.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in cutaneous silent period (CSP)
Cutaneous silent period will be measured to evaluate electrophysiological changes before and after treatment.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in subcutaneous tissue thickness (ultrasonography)
Subcutaneous tissue thickness will be measured using ultrasonography before and after treatment.
Measured: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Apr 2026
- Study start1 Oct 2022
- Primary completion10 Oct 2023
- Study completion15 Oct 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for StrokeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Başakşehir Çam & Sakura City Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Beyza Ozturk, Başakşehir Çam & Sakura City Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07537465
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2022.08.265
- Acronym
- MT-CRPS-ST
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 17 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of Mirror Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in Post-Stroke Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07537465
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MT-CRPS-ST / 2022.08.265
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Başakşehir Çam & Sakura City HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 1 Oct 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Oct 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a challenging complication following stroke, characterized by pain, edema, autonomic dysfunction, and impaired motor function. It significantly affects rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life. Despite various treatment approaches, optimal management remains difficult. Mirror therapy has emerged as a non-invasive rehabilitation technique that provides visual feedback and may influence cortical reorganization and pain modulation. Additionally, it may have effects on autonomic function, particularly the sympathetic nervous system.
This prospective, randomized, single-blind study was conducted in the inpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation clinic of Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital between October 2022 and October 2023. Patients with post-stroke CRPS who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned to either a mirror therapy group or a control group. Both groups received a standardized conventional rehabilitation program and contrast bath therapy. The intervention group additionally received mirror therapy, while the control group received sham mirror therapy.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of mirror therapy in post-stroke CRPS through a multidimensional approach. Clinical status, functional outcomes, electrophysiological parameters related to sympathetic nervous system function, and ultrasonographic measurements of soft tissue changes were assessed before and after the intervention period.
This study provides comprehensive evaluation of mirror therapy effects by combining clinical assessments with objective electrophysiological and imaging-based measurements. The findings are expected to contribute to the understanding of the role of mirror therapy in the management of CRPS after stroke and to support its use as an accessible and complementary rehabilitation approach.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mirror Therapy Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Mirror TherapyParticipants in this arm received conventional rehabilitation therapy and contrast bath therapy for 4 weeks in addition to mirror therapy for 20 minutes daily |
| Sham Mirror Therapy Group | Sham comparator | Behavioral: Sham Mirror TherapyParticipants in this arm received conventional rehabilitation therapy and contrast bath therapy for 4 weeks in addition to sham mirror therapy for 20 minutes daily |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Mirror TherapyMirror therapy was applied for 20 minutes daily for 4 weeks in addition to a conventional rehabilitation program and contrast bath therapy. Patients performed movements of the unaffected upper limb while watching its reflection in a mirror positioned in the mid-sagittal plane, creating the illusion of movement in the affected limb. | Behavioural | Mirror Therapy Group |
| Sham Mirror TherapySham mirror therapy was applied for 20 minutes daily for 4 weeks in addition to a conventional rehabilitation program and contrast bath therapy. The non-reflective side of the mirror was used so that no visual feedback of the affected limb was provided, and patients performed similar movements without the mirror illusion. | Behavioural | Sham Mirror Therapy Group |
Primary outcome
Change in pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS)
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after the 4-week treatment period.
9 secondary outcomes
Change in motor recovery (Brunnstrom Staging)
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in upper extremity motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment)
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, MAS)
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in functional independence (Functional Independence Measure, FIM)
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in neuropathic pain (DN4)
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in neuropathic pain (LANSS)
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in sympathetic nervous system function (sympathetic skin response)
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in cutaneous silent period (CSP)
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Change in subcutaneous tissue thickness (ultrasonography)
Time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Web-Based Tele-Rehabilitation Using Action Observation and Mirror Therapy for Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mirror Therapy in people with Stroke and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I (CRPS I), run by Başakşehir Çam & Sakura City Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS) (time frame: Baseline and after 4 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Apr 2026.