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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03959449

Action Observation and Motor Imagery Induced Hypoalgesia in Asymptomatic Subjects

This study evaluates the influence of motor imagery and the observation of actions on pain perception. Participants in this study are asymptomatic subjects who will perform an IM and AO protocol of an aerobic exercise.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

CSEU La Salle

Madrid, 28023, Spain

About this study

Motor Imagery (MI) is defined as a dynamic mental process that involves the representation of an action, in an internal way, without its actual motor execution. The Action Observation (AO) evokes an internal, real-time motor simulation of the movements that the observer is perceiving visually. Both mental processes trigger the activation of the neurocognitive mechanisms that underlie the planning and execution of voluntary movements in a manner that resembles how the action is performed in a real manner. The phenomenon of exercise-induced hypoalgesia is well known. This is why it has been suggested that these techniques could produce pain modulation similar to that produced by real exercise.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 18 and 60
  • Healthy and with no pain subjects

Exclusion criteria

  • Any cognitive impairment that hindered viewing of audiovisual material.
  • Difficulty understanding or communicating.
  • Presence of systemic pathology, Central Nervous System or rheumatic disease.
  • Inadequate understanding of the Spanish language to follow instructions for measuring and treatment.
  • Collaboration of pregnant women.
  • Underage subjects
  • Subjects with pain at the time of the study.

Treatment and study plan

Action Observation plus motor imagery

Behavioral

Action observation (video) and motor imagery of running.

Motor Imagery

Behavioral

Motor imagery of running

Exercise plus action Observation and motor imagery

Behavioral

Real exercise of running during 6 min plus action observation (video) and motor imagery of running.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain pressure threshold

    Time frame: Change from baseline and immediately post-intervention

    Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) is one of these tests and it is defined as the minimum force applied which induces pain. The measurement shall be carried out by using an algometer (pressure device that induces mechanical stimuli) is to standardize the amount of pressure applied in the neck region. The reliability of pressure pain thresholds according to raters or measurement frequencies is relatively high

Secondary outcomes

  1. Visual and Kinesthetic Motor Imagery Ability

    Time frame: Immediately before the intervention

    Visual and Kinesthetic Motor Imagery Ability will be measured with Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Revised (MIQ-R). MIQ-R has four movements repeated in two subscales, a visual and a kinesthetic one. Additionally, a score between 1 and 7 is assigned, with 1 representing difficulty in picturing the motor image or difficulty in feeling the movement previously made, and 7 representing the maximum ease. The internal consistencies of the MIQ-R have been consistently adequate with Cronbach's α coefficients ranging above 0.84 for the total scale, 0.80 for de visual subscale and 0.84 for the kinesthetic subscale (Campos & González, 2010).

  2. The degree of physical activity

    Time frame: Immediately before the intervention

    The degree of physical activity was objectified through the The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) questionnaire, which allows the subjects to be divided into three groups according to their level of activity, which can be high, moderate, and low or inactive. The IPAQ consists of 7 questions about the frequency, duration and intensity of activity (moderate and intense) performed in the last seven days, as well as walking and sitting time on a workday. The IPAQ scoring protocol assigns the following MET values to walking, moderate, and vigorous intensity activity: 3.3 METs, 4.0 METs, and 8.0 METs, respectively.

  3. Kinesiophobia

    Time frame: Immediately before the intervention

    Fear of movement or kinesiophobia will be quantified with the Spanish version of the Kinesiophobia Tampa Scale (TSK-11). This instrument demonstrates reliability and validity in patients with chronic pain, being shorter than the original scale. The total score ranges from 11 to 44 points, with the highest scores indicating greater fear of a new injury due to movement

  4. Electrodermal Activity

    Time frame: Change in electrodermal activity after 5 minutes post-intervention

    Electrodermal Activity will be measured through the use of two electrodes that recorded changes in conductance through the skin located at the back of the dominant hand

  5. Respiration Rate

    Time frame: Change in electrodermal activity after 5 minutes post-intervention

    Respiration Rate will be measured through a pressure transducer located in the centre of the chest, where it was fixed by a strap

  6. Respiration Rate

    Time frame: Change in electrodermal activity after 5 minutes post-intervention

    Heart Rate will be measured by three electrodes located in the left area of the chest. One of the electrodes was placed in the middle zone while a second electrode was positioned on the lateral side, and a third one on the lower left side, below the first electrode.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
May 22, 2019
Registry last updated
Jul 23, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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