Investigation of Single Session Action Observation and Motor Imagery Training on Balance, Muscle Oxygenation, Fatigue

NCT07094334 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025 - 904
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) interventions are frequently employed both in the rehabilitation process following orthopedic injuries and surgeries, with aims such as reducing pain and increasing joint range of motion, as well as in the rehabilitation of neurological disorders to restore motor functions and achieve functional independence. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that AO and MI training can exert positive effects on motor performance and neurophysiological activation. Notably, when AO and MI training are applied in combination, it has been suggested that they produce a more pronounced impact on motor performance and support motor learning processes. The effects of these techniques have generally been evaluated following long-term interventions, and there is limited data in the literature regarding their effects after a single session. Furthermore, it has been shown in the literature that action observation and motor imagery training can elicit cortical activation. However, current scientific evidence concerning the peripheral effects of these interventions remains limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the acute effects of a single session of action observation and motor imagery training on upper extremity balance, muscle oxygenation, and fatigue in asymptomatic young adult males

Conditions

Motor Imagery Training; Action Observation Training

Keywords

Motor imagery training; Action observation training; muscle oxygenation; fatigue; upper extremity balance; acute effect

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test

  In this test, participants assume a push-up position, positioned between two parallel strips placed on the floor, and touch the opposite strips in a cross-body manner with their hands for 15 seconds. The total number of touches is recorded as the score. The test is performed four times, with a 45-second rest interval between each trial. The participant's test score is calculated as the average of the scores from the last three trials.

  Before Intervention

• Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test

  In this test, participants assume a push-up position, positioned between two parallel strips placed on the floor, and touch the opposite strips in a cross-body manner with their hands for 15 seconds. The total number of touches is recorded as the score. The test is performed four times, with a 45-second rest interval between each trial. The participant's test score is calculated as the average of the scores from the last three trials.

  immediately after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Muscle oxygenation

  Before Intervention

• Muscle Oxygenation

  immediately after the intervention

• Modified Borg Scale

  pre-intervention

• Modified Borg Scale

  immediately after the intervention

Study Arms (3)

Action Observation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Prior to the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be administered to determine participants' upper extremity balance levels. Participants in the group will watch video recordings of the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test, performed by a third person, from various angles, at both normal and slow motion speeds, for a total duration of 10 minutes. Following the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be performed in four repetitions, identical to the pre-intervention assessment. In order to prevent fatigue from influencing the outcomes, participants will be given a 5-minute rest period between the pre- and post-intervention assessments. The Moxy device will continuously monitor throughout all procedures. The fatigue levels of the participants will be evaluated prior to and following the test.

Other: Action Observation

Action Observation combined with Motor Imagery Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Prior to the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be administered to determine participants' upper extremity balance levels. Participants in this group will be asked to imagine themselves performing the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test while watching video recordings of the test, captured from different angles and executed by a third person, for a total duration of 10 minutes at both normal and slow-motion speeds. Following the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be performed in four repetitions, identical to the pre-intervention assessment. In order to prevent fatigue from influencing the outcomes, participants will be given a 5-minute rest period between the pre- and post-intervention assessments. The Moxy device will continuously monitor throughout all procedures. The fatigue levels of the participants will be evaluated prior to and following the test.

Other: Action Observation combined with Motor Imagery

Control Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Prior to the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be administered to determine participants' upper extremity balance levels. The participants will watch landscape and nature-themed videos for a duration of 10 minutes. Following the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be performed in four repetitions, identical to the pre-intervention assessment. In order to prevent fatigue from influencing the outcomes, participants will be given a 5-minute rest period between the pre- and post-intervention assessments. The Moxy device will continuously monitor throughout all procedures. The fatigue levels of the participants will be evaluated prior to and following the test.

Other: Sham (No Treatment)

Interventions

Action Observation OTHER

This study, in contrast to prior research, will examine both the acute effects of action observation therapy and its impacts at the peripheral level.

Action Observation Group

Action Observation combined with Motor Imagery OTHER

This study, in contrast to prior research, will examine both the acute effects of action observation therapy combined with motor imagery and its impacts at the peripheral level.

Action Observation combined with Motor Imagery Group

Sham (No Treatment) OTHER

Participants in this intervention group will watch landscape and nature-themed videos for the duration corresponding to the intervention period applied in the other groups.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University: lead
• Gazi University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Gazi University

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue

Interventions

salicylhydroxamic acid

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Zeynep Hazar, Prof.

  Gazi University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Sıla Çağla Demiralay, M.Sc.

  Gazi University

  STUDY CHAIR

• Şeyma CEBE KARACA, M.Sc.

  Gazi University

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Eren Özen

CONTACT

+90 266 606 4598; fzterenozen@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 19, 2025
• First Posted: July 30, 2025
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: September 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Locations

TU (1)