Cross-education of Skill and Strength in Healthy People Subjected to an Upper-limb Disuse Model

NCT07615062 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: INMO-CROSS-2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare manual dexterity and strength between a group undergoing a contralateral manual dexterity training program and a no-intervention control group in healthy, physically inactive individuals subjected to an induced upper-limb disuse model.

Conditions

Disuse Atrophy; Immobilization

Keywords

Cross-education; Immobilization; contralateral training; interlimb transfer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Fine Manual Dexterity

  Fine manual dexterity will be assessed using the Functional Dexterity test (FDT). Using a stopwatch, the evaluator records the total time in seconds that the participant takes to complete the task.

  Baseline and day 7

• Force control

  In a seated position with the elbow flexed, participants will perform isometric contractions to reach a target torque guided by real-time visual feedback. The accuracy of maintaining these contractions in the wrist flexor and extensor muscles will be assessed using a Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer (Computer Sports Medicine, Inc., Stoughton, MA, USA). Participants will perform a continuous 60-second isometric contraction exercise. During this period, participants will adjust their force level to between 10% and 30% of their maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) at 10-second intervals. Three attempts will be performed per limb. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) will be recorded.

  Baseline and day 7

• Gross Manual Dexterity

  This gross manual dexterity will be assessed using the same task performed during the experimental group's contralateral manual dexterity training. Specifically, participants will complete 15 trials, moving cylinders of varying weights across a gridded board following a sequence displayed on a smartphone. The time required to complete these 15 trials will be recorded.

  Baseline and day 7

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Handgrip strength

  Baseline and day 7

• Joint Position Sense Test

  Baseline and day 7

• Left/right judgment

  Baseline and day 7

Other Outcomes (5)

• Physical activity level

  Baseline and day 7

• Psychological Distress

  Baseline

• Sleep Quality:

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Contralateral manual dexterity training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the experimental group will perform contralateral manual dexterity training focused on moving 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 kg cylinders using different grips and movements across various planes on a gridded board. Participants will execute various grips to place the cylinders into the quadrants indicated on a smartphone screen.

Other: Contralateral Manual Dexterity Training

Control group without intervention

NO INTERVENTION

Control group without intervention

Interventions

Contralateral Manual Dexterity Training OTHER

The subjects in the experimental group will perform contralateral manual dexterity training focused on moving cylinders of 0.5, 1 or 1.5 kilos with grips and movements in different planes on a gridded board. Participants will have to develop different grips and place the cylinders in the quadrants indicated on a smartphone screen.

Contralateral manual dexterity training

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Individuals must be classified as physically inactive, defined as not meeting the World Health Organization criteria of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals who have engaged in physical training (e.g., any form of strength or aerobic exercise) or specific manual dexterity training within the past 6 months. - Individuals who regularly participate in artistic, occupational, or sporting activities requiring high levels of manual dexterity (e.g., musicians, gamers, craftspeople).
• Individuals with a history of orthopedic or traumatic injuries affecting either upper extremity. Individuals with pathologies or conditions that preclude safe training (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, or visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments \[for example, dyscalculia\]).
• Individuals currently using nutritional supplements or medications that interfere with the regulation of skeletal muscle mass and strength (e.g., whey protein, creatine) or the central nervous system (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Catolica de Temuco: lead
• Universidad de La Frontera: collaborator
• University of Valencia: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

UCT, Facultad de ciencias de la Salud

Temuco, Araucania, 4813302, Chile

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Muscular Disorders, Atrophic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Iván A. Cuyul-Vásquez, PhD(c)

CONTACT

+56452205205; icuyul@uct.cl

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MsC, PhD(c)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 14, 2026
• First Posted: May 29, 2026
• Study Start: May 25, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 30, 2027
• Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CL (1)