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StrokeNCT07902310

Effects of Contralateral Gravity Eliminated Gluteus Medius and Ipsilateral Quadratus Lumborum Strengthening on Pelvic Alignment, Balance and Functional Mobility on Subacute Stroke Patients

A study testing Contralateral Gravity-Eliminated Gluteus Medius Strengthening, Quadratus Lumborum Strengthening Group and Conventional Physiotherapy in people with Stroke, run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences at 1 site in Pakistan.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims to compare the effects of contralateral gravity-eliminated gluteus medius strengthening and ipsilateral quadratus lumborum strengthening, both combined with conventional physiotherapy, on pelvic alignment, balance, and functional mobility in patients with subacute stroke. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 45 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Stroke
What is being tested?
Contralateral Gravity-Eliminated Gluteus Medius Strengthening, Quadratus Lumborum Strengthening Group and Conventional Physiotherapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
15 Aug 2026to 30 Jan 2027
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 45 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients aged 45-65 years. Patients with a first-ever stroke occurring 1-6 months before enrollment (subacute stroke).
  • Patients classified within Brunnstrom Recovery Stages III-V. Medically stable patients who are able to follow simple verbal commands. Patients able to stand independently or with minimal assistance. Patients with a Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score below 45 out of 56.

Who cannot join

  • Patients with a history of recurrent stroke. Patients with severe cognitive impairment. Patients with other neurological disorders that may affect rehabilitation outcomes.
  • Patients with severe lower-limb musculoskeletal conditions. Patients with severe spasticity, defined as a Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score greater than 3, according to the study protocol.
  • Patients with uncontrolled cardiovascular or respiratory disease. Patients with severe visual or vestibular impairment affecting balance. Patients unable to stand even with assistance. Patients participating in another rehabilitation research study during the study period.
  • -

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Prof.Dr Shoaib Waqas, PHD contact

+92 302 4552109

shoaib.waqas@ubas.edu.pk

Pakistan1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Alfalah Medical Center

    Lahore, Punjab Province

    Dr Sharafat Ali, DPT, 03064019521, physiosharafat@gmail.com

    Recruiting

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

This study aims to compare the effects of contralateral gravity-eliminated gluteus medius strengthening and ipsilateral quadratus lumborum strengthening, both combined with conventional physiotherapy, on pelvic alignment, balance, and functional mobility in patients with subacute stroke. This single-blinded, two-arm, parallel-group randomized clinical trial will be conducted at the Department of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation, Alfalah Medical Center, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 40 participants aged 45-60 years with a first-ever stroke occurring 1-6 months before enrollment will be recruited and randomly allocated to two groups. Group A will receive 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy followed by 20 minutes of contralateral gravity-eliminated gluteus medius strengthening, while Group B will receive 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy followed by 20 minutes of ipsilateral quadratus lumborum strengthening. Both groups will receive treatment three times per week for six weeks. The primary outcome measures will include pelvic alignment assessed using the Palpation Meter (PALM), balance assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and functional mobility assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. All outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the six-week intervention, and at week 12 to evaluate changes following treatment and at follow-up. The study will compare outcomes between the two groups to determine the relative effectiveness of the two targeted strengthening approaches when combined with conventional physiotherapy in patients with subacute stroke.

Read the detailed description

This study aims to compare the effects of contralateral gravity-eliminated gluteus medius strengthening and ipsilateral quadratus lumborum strengthening, both combined with conventional physiotherapy, on pelvic alignment, balance, and functional mobility in patients with subacute stroke. This study will be conducted as a single-blinded, two-arm, parallel-group randomized clinical trial at the Department of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation, Alfalah Medical Center, Lahore, Pakistan. The planned study duration is 12 months following synopsis approval. A total of 40 participants aged 45-60 years with a first-ever stroke occurring 1-6 months before enrollment will be recruited through convenience sampling and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated random sequence and sequentially numbered opaque sealed envelopes. Eligible participants will be medically stable, demonstrate Brunnstrom Recovery Stages III-V, be able to follow simple verbal commands, be able to stand independently or with minimal assistance, and have a Berg Balance Scale score below 45 out of 56. Participants with recurrent stroke, severe cognitive impairment, other neurological disorders, severe lower-limb musculoskeletal conditions, severe lower-limb spasticity defined as a Modified Ashworth Scale score greater than 3, uncontrolled cardiovascular or respiratory disease, severe visual or vestibular impairment affecting balance, inability to stand even with assistance, or participation in another rehabilitation research study during the study period will be excluded. Participants will be divided into two groups. Group A will receive 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy combined with 20 minutes of contralateral gravity-eliminated gluteus medius strengthening per session, three times per week for six weeks. The strengthening program will include supported gravity-eliminated hip abduction exercises, active-assisted and active muscle activation, pelvic stabilization, controlled hip abduction with sustained holds, and progression according to the participant's motor control and tolerance. Group B will receive the same 30-minute conventional physiotherapy program combined with 20 minutes of ipsilateral quadratus lumborum strengthening per session, three times per week for six weeks. Exercises will include isometric quadratus lumborum activation, side-lying pelvic hiking, controlled pelvic lowering, and progressive trunk and pelvic stabilization exercises in appropriate positions according to the participant's abilities and tolerance. Conventional physiotherapy will be provided to both groups and will include range-of-motion exercises, trunk and pelvic control activities, weight shifting, balance training, and gait-related exercises based on the Bobath Concept, Brunnstrom Approach, and conventional physiotherapy principles. The outcome assessor will be blinded to group allocation. All three outcome measures will be considered primary outcomes. Pelvic alignment will be assessed using the Palpation Meter (PALM), balance will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The PALM will be used to measure pelvic tilt in degrees, the BBS will assess functional balance using 14 tasks with a maximum total score of 56, and the TUG will measure the time required to stand from a chair, walk three metres, turn, return, and sit down. All outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, immediately after completion of the six-week intervention, and at week 12 to evaluate changes following treatment and at follow-up. The results will be compared between the two groups to determine the relative effectiveness of contralateral gravity-eliminated gluteus medius strengthening and ipsilateral quadratus lumborum strengthening when combined with conventional physiotherapy in improving pelvic alignment, balance, and functional mobility in patients with subacute stroke.

Conditions
Stroke
Being tested
Contralateral Gravity-Eliminated Gluteus Medius Strengthening, Quadratus Lumborum Strengthening Group, Conventional Physiotherapy
Keywords
Subacute Stroke, Gluteus Medius Strengthening, Quadratus Lumborum Strengthening, Conventional Physiotherapy , Pelvic Alignment
Medical subject headings
Stroke

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Contralateral Gravity-Eliminated Gluteus Medius StrengtheningBehavioural

    Participants will receive 20 minutes of contralateral gravity-eliminated gluteus medius strengthening per session, three times per week for six weeks. Exercises will focus on selective gluteus medius activation, supported hip abduction in gravity-eliminated positions, and pelvic stabilization. Exercise difficulty will be adjusted according to participants' motor control and tolerance

  • Quadratus Lumborum Strengthening GroupBehavioural

    Group B participants will receive conventional physiotherapy combined with ipsilateral quadratus lumborum strengthening for six weeks. Each session will include 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy and 20 minutes of targeted quadratus lumborum strengthening. Sessions will be conducted three times per week for six weeks, for a total of 18 supervised sessions. The program will focus on improving quadratus lumborum activation, trunk stability, and pelvic control.

  • Conventional PhysiotherapyBehavioural

    Participants will receive 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy per session, three times per week for six weeks. Treatment will include range-of-motion exercises, trunk and pelvic control activities, weight shifting, balance training, and gait-related exercises based on the Bobath Concept, Brunnstrom Approach, and conventional physiotherapy principles.

Study groups in NCT07902310
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Experimental: Contralateral Gravity-Eliminated Gluteus Medius Strengthening GroupExperimentalGroup A participants will receive conventional physiotherapy combined with contralateral gravity-eliminated gluteus medius strengthening for six weeks. Each session will include 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy and 20 minutes of targeted gluteus medius strengthening. Sessions will be conducted three times per week for six weeks, for a total of 18 supervised sessions. The program will focus on improving gluteus medius activation, pelvic control, and lumbopelvic stability through supported gravity-eliminated exercises.
Receives: Behavioral: Contralateral Gravity-Eliminated Gluteus Medius Strengthening; Behavioral: Conventional Physiotherapy
Quadratus Lumborum Strengthening GroupActive comparatorGroup B participants will receive conventional physiotherapy combined with ipsilateral quadratus lumborum strengthening for six weeks. Each session will include 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy and 20 minutes of targeted quadratus lumborum strengthening. Sessions will be conducted three times per week for six weeks, for a total of 18 supervised sessions. The program will focus on improving quadratus lumborum activation, trunk stability, and pelvic control.
Receives: Behavioral: Quadratus Lumborum Strengthening Group; Behavioral: Conventional Physiotherapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Pelvic Alignment (PALM)

    Pelvic alignment will be assessed using the Palpation Meter (PALM), which measures pelvic inclination in degrees using standardized positioning and palpation of relevant pelvic landmarks. Changes in pelvic tilt will be evaluated to determine the effects of contralateral gravity-eliminated gluteus medius strengthening and ipsilateral quadratus lumborum strengthening combined with conventional physiotherapy.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention (Week 6), and at Week 12 follow-up.

  2. Berg Balance Scale (BBS)

    Functional balance will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), which consists of 14 functional tasks, each scored from 0 to 4, with a maximum total score of 56. Higher scores indicate better balance performance. Changes in total BBS scores will be compared between the two intervention groups to evaluate improvements in functional balance.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention (Week 6), and at Week 12 follow-up.

  3. Timed Up and Go (TUG)

    Functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Participants will be instructed to stand up from a chair, walk 3 metres, turn around, return to the chair, and sit down. The time required to complete the test will be recorded in seconds. A shorter completion time indicates better functional mobility. Changes in TUG completion time will be compared between the two intervention groups.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention (Week 6), and at Week 12 follow-up.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted28 Oct 2026
  2. Study start15 Aug 2026
  3. Primary completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Jan 2027 (estimated)

Resources

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
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
40 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07902310
Sponsor's protocol ID
UBAS/ERB/26/07/083
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
21 Oct 2026
Last updated
28 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Contralateral Gravity-Eliminated Gluteus Medius Strengthening, Quadratus Lumborum Strengthening Group and Conventional Physiotherapy in people with Stroke, run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences 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 2 inclusion and 4 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 28 Oct 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 Prof.Dr Shoaib Waqas, PHD (+92 302 4552109, shoaib.waqas@ubas.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Pelvic Alignment (PALM) (time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention (Week 6), and at Week 12 follow-up.). The study lists 3 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 28 Oct 2026.

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