How the brain contributes to mental and physical fatigue

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Researchers will enroll healthy, trained adults and use a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced crossover design to compare methylphenidate, reboxetine, and placebo across three experiments (physical fatigue, mental fatigue, and combined fatigue). During each session they will measure brain activation, fatigue perception, and neuromuscular efficiency with neurophysiological techniques before and after induced fatigue. The crossover design lets each participant serve as their own control to isolate drug effects on fatigue onset and brain activity. Participants with high baseline fatigue, burnout, psychiatric disorders, recent injuries, or certain medication use will be excluded to focus on healthy responses.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy trained individuals (exercises at least 1x per week, no neurological, cardiovascular internal or musculoskeletal disorders of any kind)
* No use of chronic or occasional prescribed medication (except for contraceptives)
* Non-smoker

Exclusion Criteria:

* Injuries of any kind in the past 6 months
* Pregnancy
* Specific food or drink allergies (e.g. lactose and/or gluten intolerance)
* Suffering from a chronic health condition (could be neurological, cardiovascular, internal and musculoskeletal)
* Participating in any concomitant care or research trials
* History of suffering from any mental/psychiatric disorders:

Suffering from a higher risk of burn out, indicated by a total score of more than 2.59 on the Burn out assessment tool (BAT) Suffering from high general fatigue, indicated by a score of more than 57 on the Multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI) Suffering from depression, indicated by a score of more than16 on the Beck depression inventory-II (BDI-II)

* Use of medication Chronic use with an exception for contraceptives Prescribed medication in between or before trials Use of non-prescribed occasional medication 24 hours prior each trial
* Use of caffeine and heavy efforts 24 hours prior each trial
* Suffering from colour vision deficiencies
* Not eating a standardized meal, the morning of each trial

Where it's running

• Brussels Labo voor Inspanning & Topsport U-residence
  Brussels, Brussels Capital, Belgium Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Yahaira Laurisa Arenales Arauz, Msc
• Email: laurisa.arenales@vub.be
• Phone: +31615076269

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.