RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06845176

Combining Motor Imagery and Tendon Vibration on the Effectiveness of Motor Imagery

Comparison of Three Modalities of Combining Motor Imagery and Tendon Vibration on the Effectiveness of Motor Imagery

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne

Enrollment

33 participants

Start Date

Mar 27, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Healthy Volunteer

Summary

Kinesthetic motor imagery (kMI) involves imagining the sensations of movement, activating brain regions similar to actual movement execution. It is widely used to maintain or restore motor functions, particularly in rehabilitation. Tendon vibration (TV), which stimulates proprioceptive receptors can also enhance corticospinal excitability and promote neuroplasticity. This project investigates the coupling of kMI and TV through three modalities: simultaneous application, TV application between kMI trials, or pre-application of TV to precondition the nervous system before kMI trials. The effectiveness and quality of kMI will be assessed by corticospinal excitability measurements using transcranial magnetic stimulation and EEG measures. Conducting this study in healthy participants will inform the development of optimized clinical interventions for immobilized or mobility-reduced patients.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 50 Years

Inclusion Criteria3

Men or women aged 18 to 50 years.
Affiliated with or beneficiaries of a social security system.
Provided written informed consent freely after being informed of the study's purpose, procedures, and potential risks.

Exclusion Criteria5

History of pathology or surgery affecting upper limb motor function within 6 months prior to the study.
Chronic neurological, motor, or psychiatric disorders.
Use of neuroactive substances likely to alter corticospinal excitability (e.g., hypnotics, antiepileptics, psychotropics, muscle relaxants) during the study period.
Contraindications to transcranial magnetic stimulation
Simultaneous participation in another interventional study or participation in such a study within 30 days prior to this study.

Print for Your Doctor

Interested in this trial?

Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.

Interventions

DEVICETendon vibration (TV)

We use the VIBRAMOOV PHYSIO device which delivers local muscle vibrations at frequencies of 80 Hz and an amplitude of 1 mm.

OTHERKinesthetic motor imagery (kMI)

kMI is a mental technique in which an individual visualizes performing a movement without physically executing it. This process involves the internal representation of the sensations associated with the movement, engaging neural pathways similar to those activated during actual physical movement. kMI stimulates key motor and sensory areas in the brain, promoting neuroplasticity and enhancing motor performance.