Hemiplegic Cerebral PalsyNCT07734376
Mirror Therapy in Children With Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy
A study testing Mirror Therapy and Conventional Physiotherapy in people with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy and Mirror Hands, run by Marmara University.
Trial summary
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that frequently impairs upper extremity motor control and hand function, resulting in limitations in daily activities. Mirror therapy is a low-cost, easy-to-implement intervention that promotes motor learning by stimulating cortical reorganization and… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 6 to 12 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, Mirror Hands, Upper Extremity Dysfunction
- What is being tested?
- Mirror Therapy and Conventional Physiotherapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 26 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2026to 25 Oct 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 6 to 12 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of hemiparetic cerebral palsy
- Aged between 6 and 12 years
- Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) level I-III
- Having received or currently receiving physiotherapy and rehabilitation for at least 6 months
Who cannot join
- Cognitive or communication impairments that would prevent participation in mirror therapy.
- Inability to cooperate with the assessment or intervention procedures.
- Presence of uncontrolled neurological disorders, such as epilepsy.
- Musculoskeletal deformities or a history of upper extremity surgery.
- Visual or hearing impairments that would interfere with participation in mirror therapy.
- Receipt of upper extremity interventions other than routine physiotherapy (e.g., botulinum toxin injection or surgical intervention) within the past 6 months.
- Inability to comply with the study assessment or intervention schedule.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Mirror Therapy on Upper Extremity Function and Motor Control in Children With Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that frequently impairs upper extremity motor control and hand function, resulting in limitations in daily activities. Mirror therapy is a low-cost, easy-to-implement intervention that promotes motor learning by stimulating cortical reorganization and neuroplasticity. This randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of mirror therapy on upper extremity function, selective motor control, hand function, hand grip strength, and manual dexterity in children with hemiparetic CP.
Twenty-six children with hemiparetic CP will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving mirror therapy combined with conventional physiotherapy or a control group receiving sham mirror therapy combined with the same conventional physiotherapy program. The intervention will be administered over an 8-week period.
Read more
Baseline assessments will include the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Outcome measures collected before and after the intervention will include the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES), ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire, hand grip strength measured with the Jamar dynamometer, and manual dexterity assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test.
The study is expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of mirror therapy beyond conventional physiotherapy by using a sham-controlled design and to contribute to the development of standardized, evidence-based rehabilitation protocols for improving upper extremity function in children with hemiparetic CP.
Read the detailed description
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from injury to the developing brain and is characterized by impairments in movement, posture, and motor function. Children with hemiparetic CP commonly experience unilateral upper extremity weakness, impaired selective motor control, reduced hand function, decreased grip strength, and limitations in activities of daily living. These impairments negatively affect functional independence and quality of life.
Mirror therapy is a low-cost, non-invasive rehabilitation approach based on the principles of neuroplasticity and motor learning. By creating the visual illusion that the affected upper limb is moving normally through the reflection of the unaffected limb, mirror therapy is thought to enhance cortical activation and facilitate motor recovery. Although originally developed for phantom limb pain, mirror therapy has been increasingly applied in neurological rehabilitation and has demonstrated promising effects on upper extremity function.
Several studies have investigated mirror therapy in children with cerebral palsy and reported improvements in hand function and motor performance. However, considerable variation exists in treatment protocols, including intervention duration, exercise content, and comparison groups, limiting the generalizability of the findings. In addition, few studies have incorporated a sham-controlled design, making it difficult to distinguish the specific therapeutic effects of mirror therapy from nonspecific treatment effects.
The present randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mirror therapy combined with conventional physiotherapy in children with hemiparetic CP. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving mirror therapy in addition to conventional physiotherapy or a control group receiving sham mirror therapy together with the same conventional physiotherapy program.
Upper extremity outcomes will be evaluated before and after an 8-week intervention period using validated assessment tools, including the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES), ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire, hand grip strength measured with a Jamar dynamometer, and manual dexterity assessed with the Nine-Hole Peg Test. Baseline motor ability and muscle tone will be documented using the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and the Modified Ashworth Scale.
This study is expected to provide higher-quality evidence regarding the effectiveness of mirror therapy by using a standardized intervention protocol and a sham-controlled design. The findings may contribute to the development of evidence-based rehabilitation strategies aimed at improving upper extremity motor control, hand function, and functional independence in children with hemiparetic CP.
- Being tested
- Mirror Therapy, Sham Mirror Therapy, Conventional Physiotherapy
- Keywords
- Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy, Mirror Therapy, Motor control, Upper extremity function, Hand grip strength
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mirror TherapyOther
Mirror therapy will be administered for approximately 20 minutes following conventional physiotherapy sessions, twice weekly for 8 weeks. During the intervention, participants will perform bilateral, symmetrical upper extremity movements while observing the mirror reflection of the unaffected upper limb to create the visual illusion of movement of the affected limb.
Sham Mirror TherapyOther
Sham mirror therapy will be administered for approximately 20 minutes following conventional physiotherapy sessions, twice weekly for 8 weeks. Participants will perform the same bilateral upper extremity exercises while the mirror is positioned to eliminate visual mirror feedback.
Conventional PhysiotherapyOther
Individualized neurodevelopmental treatment-based physiotherapy including stretching, upper extremity strengthening exercises, mat activities, standing and gait training, and fine motor skill activities. The program will be delivered for approximately 40 minutes per session, twice weekly for 8 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mirror Group | Experimental | Participants assigned to the experimental group will receive an individualized neurodevelopmental treatment-based conventional physiotherapy program combined with mirror therapy, twice weekly for 8 weeks. Receives: Other: Mirror Therapy; Other: Conventional Physiotherapy |
| Control Group | Sham comparator | Participants assigned to the control group will receive the same individualized neurodevelopmental treatment-based conventional physiotherapy program combined with sham mirror therapy, twice weekly for 8 weeks. Receives: Other: Sham Mirror Therapy; Other: Conventional Physiotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Selective Motor Control of the Upper Extremity
Selective motor control of the affected upper extremity will be assessed using the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES). The scale evaluates selective voluntary movement at the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and fingers. Higher scores indicate better selective motor control.
Measured: Baseline and after the 8-week intervention
Change in Manual Dexterity
Manual dexterity will be assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT). The test measures the time required to place and remove nine pegs using the affected hand. Shorter completion times indicate better manual dexterity.
Measured: Baseline and after the 8-week intervention
Secondary outcomes (2)
Change in Manual Ability in Daily Activities
Manual ability in daily activities will be assessed using the ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire. The questionnaire evaluates the child's perceived difficulty in performing everyday bimanual activities. Higher scores indicate better manual ability.
Measured: Baseline and after the 8-week intervention
Change in Hand Grip Strength
Hand grip strength of the affected hand will be assessed using a Jamar hand dynamometer. Grip strength will be recorded in kilograms. Higher values indicate greater hand grip strength.
Measured: Baseline and after the 8-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion25 Oct 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Hemiplegic Cerebral PalsyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Marmara UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- 26 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Marmara University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Halic University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, İrem Çetinkaya, Marmara University
- Investigators
- İrem Çetinkaya, PhD, Study director, Marmara University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07734376
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- karanki9
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 29 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 29 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Mirror Therapy on Upper Extremity Function and Motor Control in Children With Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07734376
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- karanki9
- Keywords
- Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy, Mirror Therapy, Motor control, Upper extremity function, Hand grip strength
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Marmara UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Halic University
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 25 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 29 Jul 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.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that frequently impairs upper extremity motor control and hand function, resulting in limitations in daily activities. Mirror therapy is a low-cost, easy-to-implement intervention that promotes motor learning by stimulating cortical reorganization and neuroplasticity. This randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of mirror therapy on upper extremity function, selective motor control, hand function, hand grip strength, and manual dexterity in children with hemiparetic CP.
Twenty-six children with hemiparetic CP will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving mirror therapy combined with conventional physiotherapy or a control group receiving sham mirror therapy combined with the same conventional physiotherapy program. The intervention will be administered over an 8-week period.
Baseline assessments will include the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Outcome measures collected before and after the intervention will include the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES), ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire, hand grip strength measured with the Jamar dynamometer, and manual dexterity assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test.
The study is expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of mirror therapy beyond conventional physiotherapy by using a sham-controlled design and to contribute to the development of standardized, evidence-based rehabilitation protocols for improving upper extremity function in children with hemiparetic CP.
Detailed description
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from injury to the developing brain and is characterized by impairments in movement, posture, and motor function. Children with hemiparetic CP commonly experience unilateral upper extremity weakness, impaired selective motor control, reduced hand function, decreased grip strength, and limitations in activities of daily living. These impairments negatively affect functional independence and quality of life.
Mirror therapy is a low-cost, non-invasive rehabilitation approach based on the principles of neuroplasticity and motor learning. By creating the visual illusion that the affected upper limb is moving normally through the reflection of the unaffected limb, mirror therapy is thought to enhance cortical activation and facilitate motor recovery. Although originally developed for phantom limb pain, mirror therapy has been increasingly applied in neurological rehabilitation and has demonstrated promising effects on upper extremity function.
Several studies have investigated mirror therapy in children with cerebral palsy and reported improvements in hand function and motor performance. However, considerable variation exists in treatment protocols, including intervention duration, exercise content, and comparison groups, limiting the generalizability of the findings. In addition, few studies have incorporated a sham-controlled design, making it difficult to distinguish the specific therapeutic effects of mirror therapy from nonspecific treatment effects.
The present randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mirror therapy combined with conventional physiotherapy in children with hemiparetic CP. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving mirror therapy in addition to conventional physiotherapy or a control group receiving sham mirror therapy together with the same conventional physiotherapy program.
Upper extremity outcomes will be evaluated before and after an 8-week intervention period using validated assessment tools, including the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES), ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire, hand grip strength measured with a Jamar dynamometer, and manual dexterity assessed with the Nine-Hole Peg Test. Baseline motor ability and muscle tone will be documented using the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and the Modified Ashworth Scale.
This study is expected to provide higher-quality evidence regarding the effectiveness of mirror therapy by using a standardized intervention protocol and a sham-controlled design. The findings may contribute to the development of evidence-based rehabilitation strategies aimed at improving upper extremity motor control, hand function, and functional independence in children with hemiparetic CP.
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 Group | Experimental | Other: Mirror Therapy, Other: Conventional PhysiotherapyParticipants assigned to the experimental group will receive an individualized neurodevelopmental treatment-based conventional physiotherapy program combined with mirror therapy, twice weekly for 8 weeks. |
| Control Group | Sham comparator | Other: Sham Mirror Therapy, Other: Conventional PhysiotherapyParticipants assigned to the control group will receive the same individualized neurodevelopmental treatment-based conventional physiotherapy program combined with sham mirror therapy, twice weekly for 8 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 6 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Diagnosis of hemiparetic cerebral palsy
- Aged between 6 and 12 years
- Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) level I-III
- Having received or currently receiving physiotherapy and rehabilitation for at least 6 months
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Cognitive or communication impairments that would prevent participation in mirror therapy.
- Inability to cooperate with the assessment or intervention procedures.
- Presence of uncontrolled neurological disorders, such as epilepsy.
- Musculoskeletal deformities or a history of upper extremity surgery.
- Visual or hearing impairments that would interfere with participation in mirror therapy.
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 will be administered for approximately 20 minutes following conventional physiotherapy sessions, twice weekly for 8 weeks. During the intervention, participants will perform bilateral, symmetrical upper extremity movements while observing the mirror reflection of the unaffected upper limb to create the visual illusion of movement of the affected limb. | Other | Mirror Group |
| Sham Mirror TherapySham mirror therapy will be administered for approximately 20 minutes following conventional physiotherapy sessions, twice weekly for 8 weeks. Participants will perform the same bilateral upper extremity exercises while the mirror is positioned to eliminate visual mirror feedback. | Other | Control Group |
| Conventional PhysiotherapyIndividualized neurodevelopmental treatment-based physiotherapy including stretching, upper extremity strengthening exercises, mat activities, standing and gait training, and fine motor skill activities. The program will be delivered for approximately 40 minutes per session, twice weekly for 8 weeks. | Other | Control Group, Mirror Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Selective Motor Control of the Upper Extremity
Time frame: Baseline and after the 8-week intervention
Selective motor control of the affected upper extremity will be assessed using the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES). The scale evaluates selective voluntary movement at the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and fingers. Higher scores indicate better selective motor control.
Change in Manual Dexterity
Time frame: Baseline and after the 8-week intervention
Manual dexterity will be assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT). The test measures the time required to place and remove nine pegs using the affected hand. Shorter completion times indicate better manual dexterity.
2 secondary outcomes
Change in Manual Ability in Daily Activities
Time frame: Baseline and after the 8-week intervention
Change in Hand Grip Strength
Time frame: Baseline and after the 8-week intervention
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 29 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.
İrem Çetinkaya, PhD study director
Marmara University
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mirror Therapy and Conventional Physiotherapy in people with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy and Mirror Hands, run by Marmara University.
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 4 inclusion and 7 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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?
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 İrem Çetinkaya, PhD (5548056805, iremkaranki@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Selective Motor Control of the Upper Extremity (time frame: Baseline and after the 8-week intervention). The study lists 2 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 29 Jul 2026.