An interventional study of Electrical Stimulation Glove with Task-Oriented Training and Task-Oriented Training Only in Stroke and Chronic Stroke Patient, sponsored by University of Lahore. Completed at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 40 Years to 60 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-09-08.
Sponsored by University of Lahore · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Stroke often causes long-lasting weakness and difficulty using the hands, which limits independence in daily life. Many patients find it hard to perform everyday tasks such as dressing, eating, or writing. Rehabilitation usually includes task-oriented training (TOT), which means practicing meaningful activities that mimic real-life situations.
This study is testing whether adding a new device called an electrical stimulation glove (ESG) can make hand training more effective for people living with chronic stroke. The glove delivers gentle electrical impulses to the muscles in the hand while patients practice functional tasks. This stimulation may help activate weak muscles and improve coordination during rehabilitation.
Participants in this study are divided into two groups:
One group receives task-oriented training with the electrical stimulation glove,
The other group receives task-oriented training only.
Therapy includes warm-up exercises, task practice such as pegboard activities, grasping and releasing objects, and everyday skills, followed by cool-down exercises.
The study is being carried out at CMH Multan, Pakistan, and involves adult men and women between 40 and 60 years of age who have experienced a stroke more than six months earlier. Outcomes are measured with standard rehabilitation tools that assess hand function, motor recovery, and dexterity.
This research may help determine whether the electrical stimulation glove can be used alongside routine rehabilitation programs to support better recovery of hand function in people with stroke.
Background and Rationale Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability worldwide. Many stroke survivors experience chronic upper limb impairment, including weakness, stiffness, and reduced dexterity, which limits their ability to perform daily activities. Task-oriented training is a widely used rehabilitation approach that focuses on practicing functional, goal-directed movements to restore independence. Electrical stimulation has also been shown to support neuromuscular activation and promote neuroplasticity. Integrating these two strategies into a single wearable device - an electrical stimulation glove (ESG) - may offer a novel and affordable rehabilitation option.
Study Objectives The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the effects of combining task-oriented training with an electrical stimulation glove on hand function and dexterity in chronic stroke patients, compared to task-oriented training alone.
Study Design
This is a randomized controlled trial conducted at CMH Multan, Pakistan, over nine months. A total of 36 participants are enrolled, with 18 in each group. Patients are randomly assigned to either:
Intervention Group: Task-oriented training with an electrical stimulation glove.
Control Group: Task-oriented training only.
Eligibility Participants are men and women aged 40-60 years, at least six months after their first stroke, medically stable, and with adequate cognitive ability (Mini-Mental Scale score ≥24). Patients with recurrent stroke, seizures, pacemakers, or other neurological/orthopedic impairments are excluded.
Interventions
Task-Oriented Training (Control): Sessions include warm-up exercises, functional tasks such as pegboard placement, grasp-and-release of objects, writing or drawing, and simulated daily activities, followed by cool-down stretches.
Task-Oriented Training with Electrical Stimulation Glove (Intervention): Same activities as above, but performed while wearing the ESG. The glove delivers gentle electrical impulses to wrist and finger muscles during task performance, supporting active movement and sensory feedback.
Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes, including warm-up, 40 minutes of functional activities, and cool-down. The program runs three times per week for eight weeks.
Outcome Measures
Hand function and dexterity are evaluated before and after the intervention using standardized tools:
Wolf Functional Test (WFT): assesses the quality and speed of upper limb tasks.
Fugl-Meyer Assessment - Upper Extremity (FMA-U): evaluates motor recovery of the arm and hand.
Functional Dexterity Test (FDT): measures fine motor control and coordination.
Ethical Considerations Informed consent is obtained from all participants. Confidentiality and safety are maintained throughout the study. Participation is voluntary, and individuals may withdraw at any time without penalty.
7,286 studies on the registry are indexed under Stroke; 2,007 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 40 is below the median of 50 across 5,369 interventional studies indexed under Stroke.
Browse Stroke studies →University of Lahore is the lead sponsor of 223 studies on the registry; 40 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants receive task-oriented training combined with an electrical stimulation glove. Sessions include warm-up exercises, functional activities (such as pegboard tasks, grasp-and-release of objects, writing, and simulated daily activities), and cool-down stretches. The glove delivers low-intensity electrical impulses to the wrist and finger muscles during training to facilitate neuromuscular activation and enhance motor recovery. Sessions last approximately 60 minutes, three times per week for 8 weeks.
Device: Electrical Stimulation Glove with Task-Oriented Training
Participants receive task-oriented training without the electrical stimulation glove. Sessions include warm-up exercises, functional activities (such as pegboard placement, grasp-and-release of objects, writing or drawing, and simulated daily activities), and cool-down stretches. This protocol provides standard rehabilitation focusing on functional use of the affected hand. Sessions last approximately 60 minutes, three times per week for 8 weeks.
Behavioral: Task-Oriented Training Only
Participants perform structured task-oriented training while wearing an electrical stimulation glove. The glove is embedded with electrodes that deliver low-intensity electrical impulses to the wrist and finger muscles during functional tasks. Training includes warm-up range of motion and stretching, 40 minutes of functional activities such as pegboard tasks, object manipulation, writing, and daily living tasks, followed by cool-down exercises. The intervention is delivered in 60-minute sessions, three times per week, for 8 weeks.
Participants receive task-oriented training without the electrical stimulation glove. Training includes warm-up range of motion and stretching, 40 minutes of functional activities such as pegboard placement, grasp-and-release, writing or drawing, and simulated daily living tasks, followed by cool-down exercises. The intervention is delivered in 60-minute sessions, three times per week, for 8 weeks.
Change in Upper Extremity Motor Function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment - Upper Extremity, FMA-U)
The Fugl-Meyer Assessment - Upper Extremity is a stroke-specific, performance-based scale that evaluates motor function, balance, sensation, and joint functioning. In this study, it is used to assess changes in upper limb motor recovery after intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention
Change in Functional Performance (Wolf Functional Test, WFT)
The Wolf Functional Test assesses upper extremity motor ability through timed and functional tasks such as lifting, reaching, and manipulating objects. It measures speed and quality of movement in stroke patients.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention
Change in Hand Dexterity (Functional Dexterity Test, FDT)
The Functional Dexterity Test evaluates fine motor control, coordination, and speed of finger movements required for daily activities. Lower scores reflect better dexterity.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention
Plan to share: No
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