Single-session action observation and motor imagery for upper-arm balance, muscle oxygenation, and fatigue
Investigation of the Acute Effects of a Single Session of Action Observation and Motor Imagery Training on Upper Extremity Balance, Muscle Oxygenation, and Fatigue in Young Adults
This project will test whether a single session of watching actions and imagining movements, alone or combined, improves upper-arm balance, muscle oxygenation, and fatigue in healthy men aged 18–25.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 42 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | Male |
| Sponsor | Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara) |
| Trial ID | NCT07094334 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy male participants aged 18–25 will be assigned to one of three conditions: action observation (AO), action observation combined with motor imagery (AO+MI), or a sham/no-treatment control. Each participant will complete a single intervention session and undergo pre- and post-session measurements of upper-extremity balance, muscle oxygenation, and perceived fatigue. The protocol focuses on immediate, short-term physiological and performance changes rather than long-term training effects. Results will compare whether AO or AO+MI produce measurable acute benefits over sham.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy males aged 18–25 with no history of upper-extremity surgery or current upper-extremity problems, no neurological, metabolic, or systemic disease, intact hearing/vision/perception, and a Mini Mental State Examination score above 24.
Not a fit: People unlikely to benefit from this protocol include females (excluded for this protocol), older adults, anyone with upper-extremity injuries or surgery, those with neurological or systemic disorders, or individuals with cognitive, visual, or hearing impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple, non-invasive technique to produce immediate improvements in upper-extremity balance and muscle oxygenation that might be used to support rehabilitation strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that action observation and motor imagery, especially when combined, can improve motor performance and cortical activation over longer training periods, but evidence for effects after a single session is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * To be between 18 and 25 years of age * To have no history of any surgical procedure involving the upper extremity * To be male\*\* * Since the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test is conducted in a different position for females, only male participants will be included in the study to maintain group homogeneity. Exclusion Criteria: * Scoring 24 or below on the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) * Having hearing, visual, or perceptual impairments that may affect the study outcomes * Presence of any upper extremity problem * Having neurological, metabolic, or systemic diseases
Where this trial is running
Ankara
- Gazi University — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Eren Özen
- Email: fzterenozen@gmail.com
- Phone: +90 266 606 4598
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.