Combining motor imagery and tendon vibration to boost motor pathway activation
Comparison of Three Modalities of Combining Motor Imagery and Tendon Vibration on the Effectiveness of Motor Imagery
This project will test whether adding tendon vibration to imagined movements helps increase motor system activation in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 33 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Saint-Etienne, France) |
| Trial ID | NCT06845176 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants will perform kinesthetic motor imagery (imagining the sensations of movement) while researchers apply tendon vibration in different timing patterns: simultaneously with imagery, between imagery trials, or before imagery to precondition the nervous system. The team will measure corticospinal excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation and record EEG to capture brain activity and imagery quality. Healthy adult volunteers will attend in-person sessions at a single site where interventions and measurements are delivered. Results in healthy participants are intended to guide optimized protocols for future rehabilitation work.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18–50 who have no recent upper-limb injury or chronic neurological/psychiatric disorders and who can safely undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Not a fit: People with recent upper-limb surgery, chronic neurological or psychiatric conditions, contraindications to TMS, or those taking neuroactive medications are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lead to improved rehabilitation techniques to better maintain or restore movement in immobilized or mobility-reduced patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows motor imagery and tendon vibration separately can increase corticospinal excitability, but combining them with the specific timing strategies tested here is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men or women aged 18 to 50 years. * Affiliated with or beneficiaries of a social security system. * Provided written informed consent freely after being informed of the study's purpose, procedures, and potential risks. Exclusion Criteria: * History of pathology or surgery affecting upper limb motor function within 6 months prior to the study. * Chronic neurological, motor, or psychiatric disorders. * Use of neuroactive substances likely to alter corticospinal excitability (e.g., hypnotics, antiepileptics, psychotropics, muscle relaxants) during the study period. * Contraindications to transcranial magnetic stimulation * Simultaneous participation in another interventional study or participation in such a study within 30 days prior to this study.
Where this trial is running
Saint-Etienne, France
- IRMIS-Hôpital Nord — Saint-Etienne, France, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Léonard FEASSON, PhD — Centre Hospitalier Universiatire de SAINT-ETIENNE
- Study coordinator: Léonard FEASSON, PhD
- Email: leonard.feasson@univ-st-etienne.fr
- Phone: 04 77 12 03 83
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.