| CTRI Number |
CTRI/2026/02/103815 [Registered on: 13/02/2026] Trial Registered Prospectively |
| Last Modified On: |
06/02/2026 |
| Post Graduate Thesis |
Yes |
| Type of Trial |
Interventional |
|
Type of Study
|
Physiotherapy (Not Including YOGA) |
| Study Design |
Randomized, Parallel Group Trial |
|
Public Title of Study
|
Improving Walking Ability in Stroke Patients: Which is Better – Eccentric (Lowering) or Concentric (Lifting) Leg Exercises |
|
Scientific Title of Study
|
Effect of eccentric versus concentric strengthening on functional mobility in subacute stroke patients |
| Trial Acronym |
Nil |
|
Secondary IDs if Any
|
| Secondary ID |
Identifier |
| NIL |
NIL |
|
|
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)
|
| Name |
Farseen Mohammed P |
| Designation |
Post Graduate Student (MPT – Neurosciences) |
| Affiliation |
Yenepoya Deemed to be University |
| Address |
Department of Physiotherapy,
Yenepoya Physiotherapy College,
6th Floor, Ayush Campus,
Naringana, Deralakatte,
Mangaluru
Dakshina Kannada
KARNATAKA
575018
India |
| Phone |
9895861495 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
farseenmohammedp@gmail.com |
|
Details of Contact Person
Scientific Query
|
| Name |
Prof Lourdhuraj I |
| Designation |
Principal |
| Affiliation |
Yenepoya Deemed to be University |
| Address |
Department of Physiotherapy,
Yenepoya Physiotherapy College,
6th Floor, Ayush Campus,
Naringana, Deralakatte,
Mangaluru
Dakshina Kannada
KARNATAKA
575018
India |
| Phone |
9940529169 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
lourdhuraj@yenepoya.edu.in |
|
Details of Contact Person
Public Query
|
| Name |
Prof Lourdhuraj I |
| Designation |
Principal |
| Affiliation |
Yenepoya Deemed to be University |
| Address |
Department of Physiotherapy,
Yenepoya Physiotherapy College,
6th Floor, Ayush Campus,
Naringana, Deralakatte,
Mangaluru
Dakshina Kannada
KARNATAKA
575018
India |
| Phone |
9940529169 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
lourdhuraj@yenepoya.edu.in |
|
|
Source of Monetary or Material Support
|
| Yenepoya Deemed to be University,
Yenepoya (Ayush) Campus, Naringana, Deralakatte,
Mangaluru – 575018,
Karnataka, India |
|
|
Primary Sponsor
|
| Name |
Farseen Mohammed P |
| Address |
Yenepoya Physiotherapy College, University Road, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, 575018, Karnataka, India |
| Type of Sponsor |
Other [(Self)] |
|
|
Details of Secondary Sponsor
|
| Name |
Address |
| Prof Lourdhuraj I |
Yenepoya Physiotherapy College, University Road, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, 575018, Karnataka, India |
|
|
Countries of Recruitment
|
India |
|
Sites of Study
|
| No of Sites = 1 |
| Name of Principal
Investigator |
Name of Site |
Site Address |
Phone/Fax/Email |
| Dr Subhash Rai K N |
Yenepoya Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital |
Department of Physiotherapy,
Yenepoya (AYUSH) Campus,
Naringana, Deralakatte,
4th Floor,
Mangaluru – 575018,
Dakshina Kannada District,
Karnataka, India
Dakshina Kannada
KARNATAKA |
9620310633
drsubhashrai489@gmail.com |
|
|
Details of Ethics Committee
|
| No of Ethics Committees= 1 |
| Name of Committee |
Approval Status |
| Yenepoya Ethics Committee-3 (YEC-3) |
Approved |
|
|
Regulatory Clearance Status from DCGI
|
|
|
Health Condition / Problems Studied
|
| Health Type |
Condition |
| Patients |
(1) ICD-10 Condition: I679||Cerebrovascular disease, unspecified, |
|
|
Intervention / Comparator Agent
|
| Type |
Name |
Details |
| Comparator Agent |
Concentric Strengthening |
The strengthening program targets major lower limb muscles using concentric resistance exercises with weight cuffs. For the quadriceps (knee extensors), the patient performs seated knee extensions (10 reps × 3 sets) with a weight cuff at the ankle, progressing every two weeks by increasing resistance or switching to a standing position. Hamstring curls are done in prone lying with the cuff over the ankle, curling the leg against resistance (10 reps × 3 sets). Progression includes increasing the load or performing seated hamstring curls, starting with body weight and adding resistance as tolerated. Ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion exercises involve moving the ankle with resistance in the concentric phase, performed for 3 sets of 10 reps, beginning with 0.5–1 kg and increasing as tolerated before adding reps. For gluteal muscles (hip extensors), bridging exercises are done in supine with a thigh weight cuff (10 reps × 3 sets), progressing every two weeks with increased resistance or advancing to single-leg bridging based on control. Lastly, gluteus medius (hip abductor) strengthening includes sidelying straight leg raises with weight cuffs on the thigh or ankle (10 reps × 3 sets), progressing by adding weight biweekly or transitioning to standing. Each exercise is performed for around 5 minutes per muscle group. |
| Intervention |
Eccentric Strengthening |
The strengthening program focuses on key lower limb muscles using weight cuffs and progressive resistance. For quadriceps, seated knee extensions are performed (10 reps × 3 sets), progressing every 2 weeks by increasing resistance or shifting to standing. Hamstring curls are done in prone lying with weight cuffs (10 reps × 3 sets), with progression via seat adjustments or increased weight. Ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion exercises use light resistance (0.5–1 kg) in the eccentric phase, gradually increasing weight as tolerated. Gluteal (hip extensor) strengthening involves bridging with weight cuffs (10 reps × 3 sets), advancing to single-leg bridging and higher resistance biweekly. Gluteus medius (hip abductor) is trained through side-lying leg raises, with resistance increased every two weeks or progressed to standing as control improves. Each session lasts around 5 minutes per muscle group. |
|
|
Inclusion Criteria
|
| Age From |
18.00 Year(s) |
| Age To |
75.00 Year(s) |
| Gender |
Both |
| Details |
Stroke Type: Diagnosed with a first-ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke in the subacute phase (one to six months post-stroke).
Functional Limitation: Demonstrable lower limb functional impairments such as impaired gait, balance, or mobility.
Modified Rankin Scale (mRS): Score between two and three, indicating moderate disability but capacity for ambulation with or without assistance.
Spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale): Spasticity in lower limb muscles with a score less than or equal to two, allowing safe participation in exercise.
Brunnstrom Stages of Recovery: Patients in stages three to five of the Brunnstrom Stages of Recovery for the lower limb, indicating active movement recovery and some voluntary control.
Cognition: Ability to follow simple instructions, with a Mini-Mental State Examination score greater than twenty-four or equivalent |
|
| ExclusionCriteria |
| Details |
Other Neurological Disorders: Presence of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or peripheral neuropathy.
Orthopedic Conditions: Severe joint pain, fractures, or musculoskeletal conditions that limit mobility or participation in exercise.
Uncontrolled Comorbidities: Conditions such as severe cardiac disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or recent myocardial infarction.
Cognitive or Communication Impairment: Severe cognitive deficits with Mini-Mental State Examination score less than twenty-four, or language impairments such as severe aphasia that affect understanding of instructions.
Bilateral Stroke Involvement.
|
|
|
Method of Generating Random Sequence
|
Permuted block randomization, fixed |
|
Method of Concealment
|
Sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes |
|
Blinding/Masking
|
Outcome Assessor Blinded |
|
Primary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
|
Baseline (Pre-intervention), End of 4 weeks (Post-intervention)
|
|
|
Secondary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
| 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT) |
Baseline (Pre-intervention), End of 4 weeks (Post-intervention)
|
|
|
Target Sample Size
|
Total Sample Size="34"
Sample Size from India="34"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (Total)= "Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (India)="Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials" |
|
Phase of Trial
|
N/A |
|
Date of First Enrollment (India)
|
23/02/2026 |
| Date of Study Completion (India) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
| Date of First Enrollment (Global) |
Date Missing |
| Date of Study Completion (Global) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
|
Estimated Duration of Trial
|
Years="2"
Months="0"
Days="0" |
|
Recruitment Status of Trial (Global)
|
Not Yet Recruiting |
| Recruitment Status of Trial (India) |
Not Yet Recruiting |
|
Publication Details
|
N/A |
|
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement
|
Will individual participant data (IPD) be shared publicly (including data dictionaries)?
Response - NO
|
|
Brief Summary
|
The present study aims to compare the effects of eccentric and concentric strengthening exercises on functional mobility in subacute stroke patients. Stroke often results in motor impairments and reduced mobility, affecting independence in daily activities. Strength training plays a crucial role in improving motor function post-stroke. However, limited studies have compared the effectiveness of eccentric versus concentric muscle strengthening in this population.
In this experimental study, a total of 34 participants diagnosed with subacute stroke will be randomly assigned to two groups using block randomization. Group A will receive eccentric strengthening exercises, and Group B will receive concentric strengthening exercises. Both groups will also receive standard neurophysiotherapy.
Functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go test and the 2-Minute Walk Test, measured at baseline and after a 4-week intervention period. The outcomes will help determine which type of strengthening is more effective in enhancing mobility in subacute stroke patients. |