StrokeNCT07629856
Effect of Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Training on Postural Stability and Functional Mobility in Stroke
A study testing Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) Group and Conventional Balance Training in people with Stroke, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This Randomized Controlled Trial is conducted to investigate the effects of Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Training on Postural Stability and Functional Mobility in Stroke Survivors. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 75 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Stroke
- What is being tested?
- Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) Group and Conventional Balance Training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 28 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 20 May 2026to 20 Nov 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 40 to 75 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age between 40-75 years.
- Clinically diagnosed ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (≥3 months,post-onset).
- Ability to follow verbal commands (MMSE≥24).
- Medically stable and cleared for physical activity.
- Able to walk independently or with minimal assistance (Functional Ambulation Categories ≥3)
- Berg Balance Scale score between 21-45 (indicating moderate fall risk).
Who cannot join
- Severe aphasia or language deficits impacting task comprehension.
- Severe spasticity (modified Ashworth scale ≥2 in lower limbs).
- Visual or vestibular impairments affecting balance.
- Severe musculoskeletal conditions or orthopedic impairments that limit safe participation in balance and gait training. (e.g. recent fractures , severe arthritis).
- Diagnosed Dementia or neurodegenerative disorders
- Participation in any other structured dual-task or cognitive training program within the past 3 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Family Diagnostic Center
Chak One Hundred Fifty-seven, Punjab Province
Abrish H Abbasi, PhD* Rehab, 03155311799, abrish.habib@riphah.edu.pk
Arshad Nawaz Malik, PhD Rehab, arshad.nawaz@riphah.edu.pk
About this study
Official title: Effect of Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Training on Postural Stability and Functional Mobility in Stroke Survivors
This Randomized Controlled Trial is conducted to investigate the effects of Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Training on Postural Stability and Functional Mobility in Stroke Survivors.
Read the detailed description
Strokes are a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide because they frequently result in significant impairments in both cognitive and physical abilities. Traditional rehabilitation methods have primarily focused on single-task training, which targets motor or cognitive processes separately. However, the complex demands of daily tasks, which often require simultaneous cognitive and physical processing, may be too much for these approaches to handle. Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT), which blends cognitive tasks with motor activities, has emerged as a promising rehabilitation method to more accurately mimic real-world scenarios. This approach blends a cognitive task, like problem-solving or attention-demanding activities, with a physical task, like walking or balancing exercises. By enhancing the brain's ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, CMDT aims to improve the cognitive and motor outcomes of stroke patients.
It has been demonstrated that dual-tasking increases activity in the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain related to executive function and attention, which is crucial for managing several tasks at once. By stimulating these brain networks, CMDT may improve neuroplasticity and functional remodelling, which may lead to better postural control and mobility recovery. CMDT is based on two neurophysiological processes: enhanced synaptic plasticity and increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). When cognitive and motor tasks are carried out simultaneously, these mechanisms support synaptogenesis and neuroprotection. Despite the growing body of evidence supporting CMDT, more research is still needed to enhance training techniques, understand the mechanisms behind its effects, and evaluate long-term outcomes. Recent meta-analyses have shown that CMDT therapies result in long-lasting cognitive improvements, including improvements in working memory, cognitive flexibility, and executive function all of which are essential for functional independence. In comparison to single-task training, recent RCTs have shown that CMDT improves quality of life while also improving upper extremity and cognitive performance. Dual-task therapies that include activities of daily living promote motivation and active engagement, leading to significant improvements in functional ability and life satisfaction.
- Conditions
- Stroke
- Being tested
- Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) Group, Conventional Balance Training
- Keywords
- Stroke rehabilitation, Cognitive-motor dual task, Postural control, Functional mobility, Tasks- Oriented training
- Medical subject headings
- Stroke
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) GroupOther
Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) conducted three times weekly for 45-60 minutes with 10 repetitions each task over 6 weeks progressively challenges stroke survivors with static and dynamic tasks in weeks 1-2, anticipatory tasks in weeks 3-4, and reactive tasks in weeks 5-6, integrating cognitive challenges such as verbal fluency, Stroop tests, and auditory reactions with motor activities like walking and balance exercises
Conventional Balance TrainingOther
Static and dynamic balance exercises without cognitive load, e.g., standing and shifting weight, conducted three times weekly for 45-60 minutes with 10 repetitions each task over 6 weeks progressively challenges stroke survivors with static and dynamic tasks in weeks 1-2, anticipatory tasks in weeks 3-4, and reactive tasks in weeks 5-6.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) Group | Experimental | Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) conducted three times weekly for 45-60 minutes with 10 repetitions each task over 6 weeks progressively challenges stroke survivors with static and dynamic tasks in weeks 1-2, anticipatory tasks in weeks 3-4, and reactive tasks in weeks 5-6, integrating cognitive challenges such as verbal fluency, Stroop tests, and auditory reactions with motor activities like walking and balance exercises Receives: Other: Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) Group |
| Conventional Balance Training | Active comparator | Static and dynamic balance exercises without cognitive load, e.g., standing and shifting weight, conducted three times weekly for 45-60 minutes with 10 repetitions each task over 6 weeks progressively challenges stroke survivors with static and dynamic tasks in weeks 1-2, anticipatory tasks in weeks 3-4, and reactive tasks in weeks 5-6. Receives: Other: Conventional Balance Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Berg Balance Scale(BBS)
A clinical tool used to assess static and dynamic balance through 14 functional tasks. Tasks include sitting, standing, reaching, turning, and single-leg stance. It evaluates a person's ability to maintain balance during common daily activities and helps determine the risk of falls, especially in stroke patients and older adults.
Scoring: Each item is scored from 0 to 4 (maximum score: 56)
- Low fall risk: 41-56
- Moderate fall risk: 21-40
- High fall risk: 0-20
Measured: 6 weeks
Timed-Up and Go Test
A simple test used to assess mobility, balance, walking ability, and fall risk. The participant is timed while standing up from a chair, walking 3 meters, turning around, walking back, and sitting down. Scoring: Time recorded in seconds
- <10 sec: Normal mobility
- 10-20 sec: Good mobility, mostly independent
- >20 sec: Limited mobility, may require assistance
Measured: 6 weeks
Postural Assessment Scale (PASS)
A stroke-specific tool used to assess postural control in lying, sitting, and standing positions. It includes 12 items that evaluate the ability to maintain or change postures. Scoring: Each item scored 0-3 (Total score: 36) Higher scores indicate better postural control.
Measured: 6 weeks
Dual Task Cost (DTC)
Quantifies the impact of performing a cognitive task on motor performance (e.g., gait or balance). Calculated as:
DTC(%)= Single-task performance-Dual-task performance×100 Higher DTC values indicate greater dual-task interference and poorer ability to manage simultaneous cognitive and motor demands.
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Jun 2026
- Study start20 May 2026
- Primary completion20 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion20 Nov 2026 (estimated)
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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Muattar Hina, MS-NMPT*, Principal investigator, Riphah International Unversity
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07629856
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 02269/ Muattar Hina
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Jul 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 20 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Training on Postural Stability and Functional Mobility in Stroke Survivors
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07629856
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 02269/ Muattar Hina
- Conditions
- Stroke
- Keywords
- Stroke rehabilitation, Cognitive-motor dual task, Postural control, Functional mobility, Tasks- Oriented training
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 May 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 20 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 5 Jun 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.
This Randomized Controlled Trial is conducted to investigate the effects of Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Training on Postural Stability and Functional Mobility in Stroke Survivors.
Detailed description
Strokes are a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide because they frequently result in significant impairments in both cognitive and physical abilities. Traditional rehabilitation methods have primarily focused on single-task training, which targets motor or cognitive processes separately. However, the complex demands of daily tasks, which often require simultaneous cognitive and physical processing, may be too much for these approaches to handle. Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT), which blends cognitive tasks with motor activities, has emerged as a promising rehabilitation method to more accurately mimic real-world scenarios. This approach blends a cognitive task, like problem-solving or attention-demanding activities, with a physical task, like walking or balancing exercises. By enhancing the brain's ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, CMDT aims to improve the cognitive and motor outcomes of stroke patients.
It has been demonstrated that dual-tasking increases activity in the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain related to executive function and attention, which is crucial for managing several tasks at once. By stimulating these brain networks, CMDT may improve neuroplasticity and functional remodelling, which may lead to better postural control and mobility recovery. CMDT is based on two neurophysiological processes: enhanced synaptic plasticity and increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). When cognitive and motor tasks are carried out simultaneously, these mechanisms support synaptogenesis and neuroprotection. Despite the growing body of evidence supporting CMDT, more research is still needed to enhance training techniques, understand the mechanisms behind its effects, and evaluate long-term outcomes. Recent meta-analyses have shown that CMDT therapies result in long-lasting cognitive improvements, including improvements in working memory, cognitive flexibility, and executive function all of which are essential for functional independence. In comparison to single-task training, recent RCTs have shown that CMDT improves quality of life while also improving upper extremity and cognitive performance. Dual-task therapies that include activities of daily living promote motivation and active engagement, leading to significant improvements in functional ability and life satisfaction.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) Group | Experimental | Other: Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) GroupCognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) conducted three times weekly for 45-60 minutes with 10 repetitions each task over 6 weeks progressively challenges stroke survivors with static and dynamic tasks in weeks 1-2, anticipatory tasks in weeks 3-4, and reactive tasks in weeks 5-6, integrating cognitive challenges such as verbal fluency, Stroop tests, and auditory reactions with motor activities like walking and balance exercises |
| Conventional Balance Training | Active comparator | Other: Conventional Balance TrainingStatic and dynamic balance exercises without cognitive load, e.g., standing and shifting weight, conducted three times weekly for 45-60 minutes with 10 repetitions each task over 6 weeks progressively challenges stroke survivors with static and dynamic tasks in weeks 1-2, anticipatory tasks in weeks 3-4, and reactive tasks in weeks 5-6. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age between 40-75 years.
- Clinically diagnosed ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (≥3 months,post-onset).
- Ability to follow verbal commands (MMSE≥24).
- Medically stable and cleared for physical activity.
- Able to walk independently or with minimal assistance (Functional Ambulation Categories ≥3)
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Severe aphasia or language deficits impacting task comprehension.
- Severe spasticity (modified Ashworth scale ≥2 in lower limbs).
- Visual or vestibular impairments affecting balance.
- Severe musculoskeletal conditions or orthopedic impairments that limit safe participation in balance and gait training. (e.g. recent fractures , severe arthritis).
- Diagnosed Dementia or neurodegenerative disorders
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) GroupCognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) conducted three times weekly for 45-60 minutes with 10 repetitions each task over 6 weeks progressively challenges stroke survivors with static and dynamic tasks in weeks 1-2, anticipatory tasks in weeks 3-4, and reactive tasks in weeks 5-6, integrating cognitive challenges such as verbal fluency, Stroop tests, and auditory reactions with motor activities like walking and balance exercises | Other | Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) Group |
| Conventional Balance TrainingStatic and dynamic balance exercises without cognitive load, e.g., standing and shifting weight, conducted three times weekly for 45-60 minutes with 10 repetitions each task over 6 weeks progressively challenges stroke survivors with static and dynamic tasks in weeks 1-2, anticipatory tasks in weeks 3-4, and reactive tasks in weeks 5-6. | Other | Conventional Balance Training |
Primary outcome
Berg Balance Scale(BBS)
Time frame: 6 weeks
A clinical tool used to assess static and dynamic balance through 14 functional tasks. Tasks include sitting, standing, reaching, turning, and single-leg stance. It evaluates a person's ability to maintain balance during common daily activities and helps determine the risk of falls, especially in stroke patients and older adults. Scoring: Each item is scored from 0 to 4 (maximum score: 56) * Low fall risk: 41-56 * Moderate fall risk: 21-40 * High fall risk: 0-20
Timed-Up and Go Test
Time frame: 6 weeks
A simple test used to assess mobility, balance, walking ability, and fall risk. The participant is timed while standing up from a chair, walking 3 meters, turning around, walking back, and sitting down. Scoring: Time recorded in seconds * <10 sec: Normal mobility * 10-20 sec: Good mobility, mostly independent * >20 sec: Limited mobility, may require assistance
Postural Assessment Scale (PASS)
Time frame: 6 weeks
A stroke-specific tool used to assess postural control in lying, sitting, and standing positions. It includes 12 items that evaluate the ability to maintain or change postures. Scoring: Each item scored 0-3 (Total score: 36) Higher scores indicate better postural control.
Dual Task Cost (DTC)
Time frame: 6 weeks
Quantifies the impact of performing a cognitive task on motor performance (e.g., gait or balance). Calculated as: DTC(%)= Single-task performance-Dual-task performance×100 Higher DTC values indicate greater dual-task interference and poorer ability to manage simultaneous cognitive and motor demands.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Muattar Hina, MS-NMPT* principal investigator
Riphah International Unversity
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Cognitive-motor dual-task training (CMDT) Group and Conventional Balance Training in people with Stroke, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 6 inclusion and 6 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Jul 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 Pakistan. 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. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Abrish H Abbasi, PhD* Rehab (03155311799, abrish.habib@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Berg Balance Scale(BBS) (time frame: 6 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. 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 20 Jul 2026.