NCT03946709

Brief Summary

A critical problem facing aging adults is muscle weakness. Whereas scientists have traditionally attributed the loss of muscle strength with aging to muscle atrophy, emerging evidence suggests that impairments in the neuromuscular system's ability to voluntarily generate force plays a more central role than previously appreciated. One area that has not yet been investigated includes the role that observing another's actions - thereby activating mirror neurons - plays in muscle force generation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the acute effects of action observation on muscular strength, voluntary muscle activation, and cortical excitability and inhibition in older adults.

Trial Health

57
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Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
14

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Dec 2018

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
terminated

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 20, 2018

Completed
5 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 8, 2019

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 13, 2019

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 1, 2020

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 1, 2020

Completed
Last Updated

June 28, 2021

Status Verified

June 1, 2021

Enrollment Period

1.2 years

First QC Date

May 8, 2019

Last Update Submit

June 25, 2021

Conditions

Muscle WeaknessDynapeniaSarcopenia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Muscle Strength

    Isometric muscle strength of the non-dominant hand and wrist flexors will be assessed during maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs).

    5 minutes

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Voluntary Activation

    5 minutes

  • Corticospinal excitability

    5 minutes

Study Arms (3)

Muscle strength condition

OTHER
Other: Action Observation

Muscle weakness condition

OTHER
Other: Action Observation

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

Action ObservationOTHER

Strength, voluntary activation, and cortical responses to three conditions will be measured: 1) action observation of very strong, forceful contractions of the hand and wrist flexors 2) action observation of very weak, feeble contractions of the hand and wrist flexors 3) no action observation. Experimental conditions will be randomized and counterbalanced.

Muscle strength conditionMuscle weakness condition

Eligibility Criteria

Age60 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Healthy men and women ≥60 years of age

You may not qualify if:

  • Neuromuscular disease (e.g. Parkinson's, MS, ALS)
  • Metabolic disease (e.g. diabetes, thyroid disorder, metabolic syndrome)
  • Arthritis in the upper limbs (hands, arms, shoulders)
  • Trouble using or controlling one's muscles
  • History of cancer
  • History of stroke
  • History of heart attack
  • Use of an assistive walking device or other mobility aids
  • Physician mandated contraindication to exercise within the last 6 months
  • Epilepsy or history of convulsions/seizures
  • History of fainting or syncope
  • History of head trauma that was diagnosed as concussion or was associated with loss of consciousness
  • History of hearing problems or tinnitus
  • Cochlear implants
  • Implanted metal in the brain, skull, or elsewhere in the body
  • +9 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

UCF Neuromuscular Plasticity Laboratory

Orlando, Florida, 32826, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Harmon KK, Girts RM, Pagan JI, Rodriguez G, Stock MS. The acute effects of action observation on muscle strength/weakness and corticospinal excitability in older adults. Exp Brain Res. 2022 Jun;240(6):1801-1810. doi: 10.1007/s00221-022-06370-2. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

    PMID: 35488129DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Muscle WeaknessSarcopenia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular DiseasesMusculoskeletal DiseasesNeuromuscular ManifestationsNeurologic ManifestationsNervous System DiseasesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsSigns and SymptomsMuscular AtrophyAtrophyPathological Conditions, Anatomical

Study Officials

  • Matt S. Stock, Ph.D.

    University of Central Florida

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 8, 2019

First Posted

May 13, 2019

Study Start

December 20, 2018

Primary Completion

March 1, 2020

Study Completion

March 1, 2020

Last Updated

June 28, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-06

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

US(1)