Effects of Different Stimuli on Muscle Activation, Hand Grip Strength, Reaction Time, and Hand Function

NCT07407114 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: LHU-FTR-ZSBD-06
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The study will include three separate intervention groups: an ice application group, a vibration application group, and a control group. Accordingly, three groups were randomly generated using the Research Randomizer software. To determine the group allocation of the participants, individuals will be asked to draw a number from a bag containing numbers, each written only once. The intervention corresponding to the drawn number will be applied to the participant. All interventions will be administered by the researcher Demet Öztürk, while the outcome measurements will be evaluated by the researchers Seda Baktır Doğan and Mustafa Sarı. The interventions and assessment procedures will be conducted in separate rooms in order to ensure assessor blinding. Participants included in the study will first complete a Demographic Data Form. This form will record demographic information including age, sex, body weight, height, dominant side, alcohol consumption status, medical history, and family history. Following the relevant tactile stimulus application, participants' hand grip strength, muscle activation, hand function, and upper extremity reaction time will be assessed.

Conditions

Upper Extremity Dysfunction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Muscle Activation Measurement

  Surface (non-invasive) electromyography (EMG) will be used to assess muscle activation using the Trigno™ Wireless System (Delsys Inc., USA). EMG recordings will be obtained from the flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum superficialis, and flexor digitorum profundus muscles. Electrode placement on the target muscles will be determined according to the SENIAM recommendations and previously published studies.

  The evaluations were performed at baseline and immediately post-intervention.

• Hand Grip Strength Measurement

  Gross hand grip strength will be assessed using an electronic hand dynamometer (Baseline 12-0286 Electronic Smedley Hand Dynamometer, 200 lbs capacity). Measurements will be performed according to the standard testing protocol recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists. Participants will be seated upright in a chair with back support, with the shoulder adducted and in a neutral position, the elbow flexed at 90°, and the forearm and wrist in a neutral position. The dynamometer will be held vertically, perpendicular to the floor. Participants will be instructed to hold the dynamometer with one hand and squeeze it as forcefully as possible.

  The evaluations were performed at baseline and immediately post-intervention.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Hand Function Measurement

  The evaluations were performed at baseline and immediately post-intervention.

• Upper Extremity Reaction Time Measurement

  The evaluations were performed at baseline and immediately post-intervention.

Study Arms (3)

Group-Ice

EXPERIMENTAL

Cold Application (Ice Therapy): Ice application will be administered to the forearm flexor muscle group. The application will be performed using a gel pack available in the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Laboratory. The gel pack will be kept in a refrigerator for at least 20 minutes prior to application. The pack will be placed between wet towels and applied continuously to the target area for 3 minutes (reference).

Other: Ice

Group-Vibr

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Vibration Application: Vibration therapy will be applied using the Compex Fixx 1.0 device. The device has three different vibration speed levels. In the present study, vibration will be applied to the forearm flexor muscle groups for 3 minutes at the first speed level (1500 RPMs; Power: W / Voltage: 12.0 V / Current: 0.28 A / Sound level: 57-60 dB).

Other: Vibration

Croup-Cont

NO INTERVENTION

Control Group: In the present study, the control group will be planned as a passive control group, and no intervention will be applied. After the baseline measurements, participants will rest in the intervention room for 3 minutes (equal to the duration of the other interventions), followed by post-intervention assessments conducted in the assessment room.

Interventions

Ice OTHER

Ice will be used as sensory stimulant in this group.

Group-Ice

Vibration OTHER

Vibration will be used as sensory stimulant in this group.

Group-Vibr

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy adult individuals aged between 18 and 35 years
• Voluntary participants who have read and signed the informed consent form will be included in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with any systemic, inflammatory, neurological, or degenerative disease affecting the upper extremity
• Individuals with acute inflammation or inflammatory disorders, acute thrombosis, cardiovascular/circulatory diseases, migraine, or epilepsy
• Individuals with a history of trauma or surgery involving the upper extremity within the past year
• Individuals who have started using medications within the last 6 months that may affect the nervous or musculoskeletal systems
• Individuals with implanted metallic foreign bodies in the upper extremity
• Individuals with a pacemaker
• Individuals with circulatory disorders in the upper extremity
• Individuals with any diagnosed sensory impairment
• Individuals with any health condition (e.g., visual or cognitive impairment) that may prevent the proper completion of the assessments

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lokman Hekim University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Lokman Hekim University

Ankara, Cankaya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Ice; Vibration

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Water; Hydroxides; Alkalies; Inorganic Chemicals; Anions; Ions; Electrolytes; Oxides; Oxygen Compounds; Environment; Ecological and Environmental Phenomena; Biological Phenomena; Weather; Meteorological Concepts; Environment and Public Health; Mechanical Phenomena; Physical Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The assesors are blind to study.
• Purpose: SCREENING
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assist. Prof.

Model Details: Healthy young participants.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 29, 2026
• First Posted: February 12, 2026
• Study Start: March 30, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 30, 2024
• Study Completion: November 30, 2025
• Last Updated: February 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)