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NCT Number: NCT07021079

Muscle Vibration as a Countermeasure Against Hypoactivity-induced

Muscle deconditioning, characterized by a loss of muscle mass and strength, is a frequent consequence of prolonged lower limb unloading. Beyond muscle mass loss, reduced neural drive contributes significantly to strength decline, highlighting the need for interventions targeting neuromuscular function during immobilization. Focal muscle vibration (FMV) has shown promise in modulating neuromuscular excitability by activating muscle spindle afferents and inducing cortical adaptations. Chronic use of FMV has been associated with significant strength gains and improved neural command. This makes FMV an effective rehabilitation tool. Its simplicity and non-invasiveness further make it a practical countermeasure.

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Key information

Conditions

Vibration Therapy Behavior Healthy Volunteer Study Hypoactivity Sedentary Behavior

Age range

19 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire

Saint-Etienne, 42055, France

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

LEONARD FEASSON, PHD

CONTACT

[email protected]

(0)477120383 ext. +33

About this study

This study hypothesizes that a 10-day FMV protocol can induce neural adaptations to limit strength loss during unilateral lower limb suspension, offering a novel strategy against neuromuscular function decline.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Men and women.
  • Aged 18 to 45 years.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18,5 and 24,9 kg/m².
  • Engaging in at least 1.5 hours per week of physical activity (e.g., brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling).
  • Provided informed consent after receiving detailed information about the study.
  • Affiliated with or beneficiaries of a social security system

Exclusion criteria

  • Chronic cardiovascular, neuromuscular, bone, metabolic, and/or inflammatory disorders.
  • Personal history and/or risk factors for thrombosis.
  • Use of antidepressant medications.
  • Use of neuroactive substances likely to alter corticospinal excitability (e.g., hypnotics, antiepileptics, psychotropics, muscle relaxants) during the study.
  • Recent bone or ligament trauma within the past 12 months.
  • Inability to perform the physical efforts required for the study.
  • Recent participation in a sporting competition or intense, unusual physical activity within the past month.
  • Corticosteroid treatment within the past 3 months.
  • Any skin lesions at the planned vibrator application site.
  • Simultaneous participation in another interventional medical study.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
  • Individuals unable to understand the purpose and conditions of the study or unable to provide informed consent.
  • Individuals deprived of liberty or under guardianship

Treatment and study plan

Focal muscle vibration

Device

focal muscle vibration sessions, using small and portable vibrator devices.

NO Focal muscle vibration

Device

The control group will not receive any intervention.

Primary outcomes

  1. Isometric force measurement

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Maximal isometric force (% decrease) in knee extension of the immobilized leg will be evaluated

Secondary outcomes

  1. Maximum voluntary force measurement

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Maximum voluntary force (Nm) in knee extension, assessed in isometric (for the immobilized leg and also for the contralateral leg), concentric (+60°/s and +180°/s) and eccentric (-60°/s) conditions.

  2. Jumping performance measurement

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Jumping performance (height, in cm), assessed in vertical jump tests (Squat Jump and Counter Movement Jump).

  3. Postural balance measurement

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Postural balance performance (displacement of center of pressure, in mm), assessed in a unipodal postural balance test performed on a strength platform

  4. Neuromuscular fatigue measurement

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Neuromuscular fatigue (decrease in maximum voluntary force (in %), assessed during a fatigue protocol consisting of quadriceps muscle contractions at incremental force levels.

  5. Force-velocity-endurance measurement

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Force-velocity-endurance profile, assessed during an effort performed on a cycloergometer at linearly decreasing power values.

  6. Voluntary activation level evaluation

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Voluntary activation level (in %), determined by the force increment obtained following stimulation during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction.

  7. Cortico-spinal excitability measurement

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Cortico-spinal excitability, assessed by electromyographic responses (motor evoked potentials, in mV) evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

  8. Spinal excitability evaluation

    Time frame: Day 1, 7,14 , 28, 33

    Spinal excitability (i.e. spinal reflexes, in mV), assessed by recording EMG responses evoked by electrical stimulation of the lumbar vertebrae.

  9. Cortical activation of sensorimotor areas measurement

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Cortical activation of sensorimotor areas, assessed by recording the electroencephalographic (EEG) signal during submaximal isometric contractions.

  10. Muscle volume measurement

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Muscle volume will be assessed by ultrasound of the thigh muscles (in cm2).

  11. Determination of plasma molecular markers of bone and muscle remodeling

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Assessment of blood factors of nerve (BDNF) and muscle remodeling (circulating steroids, insulin, GH, IGF-1, myostatin, activinA, follistatin).

  12. Determination of plasma molecular markers of bone and muscle remodeling

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Evaluation of bone remodeling factors by bAP, CTx, P1NP and Trap5b assays

  13. Plasma molecular markers of thrombotic risk evaluation

    Time frame: Day 1, 7, 14, 28, 33

    Plasma molecular markers of thrombotic risk will be assessed by blood sampling followed by assay of HSP47 and D-dimer factors.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

LEONARD FEASSON, PHD

CONTACT

[email protected]

(0)477120383 ext. +33

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Focal Muscle Vibration as a Countermeasure Against Hypoactivity-induced Neuromuscular Deconditioning

Acronym: NEUROVIB-ULLS

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jun 13, 2025
Registry last updated
May 26, 2026

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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