ArticleBMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation2026
Upper extremity muscle thickness and grip strength following a boccia-based intervention in hemiparetic individuals.
Article in BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07254273 (Effects of Boccia Exercises on Upper Extremity Muscle Thickness and Grip Strength in Hemiparetic Individuals), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Effects of Boccia Exercises on Upper Extremity Muscle Thickness and Grip Strength in Hemiparetic Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionThe global prevalence of stroke is increasing, highlighting the critical importance of effective post-stroke rehabilitation. Although boccia was originally designed for individuals with special needs, its potential benefits for stroke rehabilitation, particularly regarding task-related changes in ultrasound-observed muscle characteristics, have not been thoroughly investigated. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the association of an 8-week boccia-based intervention with changes in upper extremity muscle thickness and grip strength in individuals with hemiparesis following stroke.
methodsA total of 22 stroke survivors were randomly allocated to a boccia group (Boc, n = 12) or a control group (Ctrl, n = 10). While the control group received conventional physical therapy for eight weeks, the boccia group participated in both physical therapy and boccia-based intervention three times per week. Upper extremity muscle thickness and grip strength were assessed before and after the intervention.
resultsIn the control group, a significant increase was observed only in the triceps brachii muscle thickness. In contrast, the boccia group demonstrated statistically detectable increases in forearm muscles (flexor digitorum profundus, flexor digitorum superficialis, pronator teres, and brachioradialis), triceps brachii muscle thickness, and grip strength.
conclusionIncorporating boccia-based intervention into the rehabilitation programs of individuals with hemiparesis after stroke may be associated with broader upper extremity muscle involvement and concurrent improvements in grip strength. These findings should be interpreted as exploratory and hypothesis-generating.
trial registrationThe trial registration number: NCT07254273 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07254273 ), Unique Protocol Id: E-15604681-100-234561 and the date of registration: 2025/11/13 ( https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/beta/studies/S000GEKF00000050/recordSummary ). Retrospectively registered.
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