Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06573918

EMG-Assessed Paratonia: A New Approach to Response Inhibition

Paratonia is the inability to relax muscles during the assessment of muscle tone in the absence of spasticity and parkinsonian rigidity. It can be evaluated qualitatively using clinical scales and objectively through surface electromyography (EMG-assessed paratonia). It is widely accepted that paratonia represents a manifestation of impaired motor response inhibition due to frontal lobe dysfunction.

Traditionally, motor response inhibition has been assessed using experimental protocols such as go/no-go and stop-signal tasks. Research has shown that athletes, particularly those engaged in open-skill sports, demonstrate superior motor response inhibition compared to sedentary individuals. Even amateur athletes exhibit better motor response inhibition than sedentary individuals, though to a lesser extent than professional athletes.

Given that the etiology of paratonia involves a defect in motor response inhibition, it is hypothesized that EMG-assessed paratonia could become a novel approach for evaluating motor response inhibition. The present study was designed to validate this hypothesis. Specifically, we first tested whether EMG-assessed paratonia in healthy subjects can reveal a well-known aspect of motor response inhibition, namely its correlation with the level of physical activity.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Università degli Studi di Genova

Genova, 16122, Italy

About this study

EMG-assessed paratonia was analyzed and compared to assess motor response efficiency in three groups of healthy young adults with different levels of physical activity: professional athletes engaged in closed and open skills sports, amateurs, and sedentary individuals. To analyze EMG-assessed paratonia, two surface electrodes were attached to the biceps and triceps brachii muscles during passive flexion-extension movements of the elbow while the participant remained in a state of maximum relaxation. Any EMG activity detected during these movements was attributed to an inability to relax, thereby reflecting their degree of paratonia.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Sedentary Individuals: Defined as those engaging in less than 16.67 metabolic equivalent of task (MET) hours per week.

Amateur Athletes: Defined as individuals who engage in 16.67 to 25 MET hours per week.

Professional Athletes: Defined as individuals who engage in more than 25 MET hours per week.

Exclusion criteria

Presence of any pathology or pain in the flexor or extensor muscles of the arm. Use of muscle stimulants, relaxants, steroids, tobacco, alcohol, or any other drugs.

Treatment and study plan

EMG-based assessment of paratonia

Diagnostic Test

EMG-assessed paratonia was analyzed and compared to assess motor response efficiency in three groups of healthy young adults with different levels of physical activity: professional athletes engaged in closed and open skills sports, amateurs, and sedentary individuals. To analyze EMG-assessed paratonia, two surface electrodes were attached to the biceps and triceps brachii muscles during passive flexion-extension movements of the elbow while the participant remained in a state of maximum relaxation. Any EMG activity detected during these movements was attributed to an inability to relax, thereby reflecting their degree of paratonia.

Primary outcomes

  1. Neuromuscular excitation of the Biceps Brachii (paratonia assessed by EMG) during passive elbow flexion and extension

    Time frame: Throughout the duration of the evaluation, which lasts about 120 seconds

    Amplitude of electromyography value (Root Mean Square in microvolt) measured for Biceps Brachii muscle

  2. Neuromuscular excitation of the Triceps Brachii (paratonia assessed by EMG) during passive elbow flexion and extension

    Time frame: Throughout the duration of the evaluation, which lasts about 120 seconds

    Amplitude of electromyography value (Root Mean Square in microvolt) measured for Triceps Brachii muscle

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universita degli Studi di Genova

Other

Registry information

Official study title

EMG-Assessed Paratonia: A Novel Approach to Investigating Motor Response Inhibition in Healthy Subjects

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Aug 27, 2024
Registry last updated
Aug 27, 2024

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.