NCT05072652

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of one week of knee-joint immobilization on muscle size, strength, neuromuscular function, and brain function. In addition, the effects of two different interventions (i.e., neuromuscular electrical stimulation and action observation/mental imagery) throughout immobilization will be determined. Following the immobilization period, participants that have lost strength will be rehabilitated with twice weekly resistance training sessions, and sex-based differences in rehabilitation timelines will be examined.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
50

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2021

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

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

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 28, 2021

Completed
13 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 11, 2021

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 11, 2021

Completed
8 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2022

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 1, 2022

Completed
Last Updated

August 19, 2022

Status Verified

August 1, 2022

Enrollment Period

8 months

First QC Date

September 28, 2021

Last Update Submit

August 17, 2022

Conditions

Keywords

immobilizationmuscle atrophymuscle strengthaction observationmental imageryneuromuscular electrical stimulationrehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

  • Muscular strength

    Changes in muscular strength will be measured via maximal voluntary contraction torque

    15 minutes

  • Muscular size

    Changes in muscular size will be measured via ultrasonography of the quadriceps

    10 minutes

  • Corticospinal responses

    Corticospinal responses will be measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting the lower limbs

    30 minutes

  • Motor unit behavior

    Motor unit recruitment threshold and firing rate will be measured with surface electromyography signals detected from the quadriceps

    10 minutes

  • Voluntary activation

    Voluntary activation will be measured using the interpolated twitch technique

    15 minutes

  • Rate of recovery

    The time taken to recover strength lost will be measured via number of resistance training sessions needed after immobilization

    1.5 hours per session

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Compliance

    one week

  • Physical activity (Step count)

    one week

Study Arms (2)

Immobilization

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the immobilization groups will undergo one week of unilateral knee joint immobilization of the left leg.

Other: Neuromuscular Electrical StimulationOther: Action Observation + Mental Imagery

Control

NO INTERVENTION

The control group will not undergo any intervention.

Interventions

Participants in this group will perform twice daily neuromuscular electrical stimulation training sessions of the quadriceps muscles (specifically, the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris) or the immobilized left leg.

Immobilization

Participants in this group will perform daily action observation + mental imagery training via video and audio recordings.

Immobilization

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 40 Years
Sexall(Gender-based eligibility)
Gender Eligibility DetailsParticipants enrolled in this study must self identify with their biological sex at birth
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Healthy men and women between the ages of 18-40 years
  • Body mass index \>20 kg/m2 or \< 35 kg/m2

You may not qualify if:

  • Body mass index \<20 kg/m2 or \> 35 c
  • Experience of major joint pain/discomfort of the upper or lower limbs, back, or neck within the previous six months.
  • History of major musculoskeletal injury or surgery
  • Neuromuscular disease (e.g., Parkinson's, MS, ALS)
  • Metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disorder, metabolic syndrome)
  • Personal or family history of blood clots
  • Trouble using or controlling one's muscles
  • History of cancer
  • History of stroke
  • History of heart attack
  • History of arthritis
  • Use of an assistive walking device or mobility aids within the past six months
  • Use of anabolic steroids within the past six months
  • History of convulsions, seizures, or syncope
  • History of concussion as diagnosed by a physician
  • +8 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida, 32816, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Harmon KK, Girts RM, Rodriguez G, Beausejour JP, Pagan JI, Carr JC, Garcia J, Roberts MD, Hahs-Vaughn DL, Stout JR, Fukuda DH, Stock MS. Combined action observation and mental imagery versus neuromuscular electrical stimulation as novel therapeutics during short-term knee immobilization. Exp Physiol. 2024 Jul;109(7):1145-1162. doi: 10.1113/EP091827. Epub 2024 Apr 30.

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Muscle WeaknessMuscular AtrophyKnee Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular DiseasesMusculoskeletal DiseasesNeuromuscular ManifestationsNeurologic ManifestationsNervous System DiseasesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsSigns and SymptomsAtrophyPathological Conditions, AnatomicalLeg InjuriesWounds and Injuries

Study Officials

  • Matt S Stock, PhD

    University of Central Florida

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Repeated measures design
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 28, 2021

First Posted

October 11, 2021

Study Start

October 11, 2021

Primary Completion

June 1, 2022

Study Completion

July 1, 2022

Last Updated

August 19, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-08

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

IPD will be shared by the PI upon reasonable request. Personal identifiable information will not be shared; however, physiological data and outcome measures may be shared if requested.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
Time Frame
Data will be made available upon reasonable request after the time of study completion and manuscript publication
Access Criteria
To access IPD, please contact the study PI.

Locations