EMG Analysis in ABI: Motor Imagery and Action

NCT ID: NCT06230718

Last Updated: 2025-10-07

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 28 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-01-01
• Study Completion Date: 2027-01-30

Brief Summary

This study focuses on electromyographic analysis of upper limb muscle activation in stroke survivors during Motor Imagery (MI) and Action Observation (AO) rehabilitation techniques. By measuring muscle activity in the wrist and finger flexors and extensors, the research seeks to understand the impact of MI and AO on motor function recovery post-stroke. Conducted at the University of Salamanca, the study involves stroke survivors participating in a series of three experimental sessions. The analysis will correlate electromyographic responses with functional independence, limb functionality, and cognitive factors. The research aims to contribute to the fields of occupational therapy and physiotherapy, offering insights into effective rehabilitation methods for improving quality of life in stroke survivors.

Detailed Description

This study investigates muscle activation in the upper limbs of stroke survivors using electromyographic analysis during Motor Imagery (MI) and Action Observation (AO). Stroke, a major cause of disability, often results in motor impairments in the upper limb, impacting daily activities. The research focuses on innovative rehabilitation techniques based on neuroplasticity, such as MI and AO, stimulated by the discovery of mirror neurons.

The primary goal is to record upper limb muscle activation during MI and AO, using surface electromyography to measure activation in wrist and finger flexors and extensors. The study will also explore the relationship between electromyographic responses and factors like daily activity independence, limb functionality, quality of life, mental evocation ability, and cognitive impairment.

Conducted at the University of Salamanca, the study will recruit stroke survivors for a three-session experimental protocol involving control, MI, and AO conditions. Data will be analyzed with SPSS Statistics, ensuring anonymity and ethical compliance. The research aims to enhance understanding of effective neurorehabilitation techniques, contributing to the fields of occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

Conditions

Stroke; Quality of Life; Mirror Movement

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Intervention group

The intervention group will receive 3 experimental procedures

1. Placebo control

2. Motor Imagery- Active Comparator

3. Action Observation (OA) Active comparator muscle activation control by surface electromyography will be recorded in these three situations

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Motor Imagery (MI)

Intervention Type: OTHER

mental process where an individual visualizes or imagines themselves performing a movement without actually executing it physically. This cognitive process involves the mental rehearsal of motor actions, engaging similar neural pathways that are used when physically performing the action.

Action Observation (AO)

Intervention Type: OTHER

rehabilitation technique based on the principle of observing actions to improve motor function and learning. This approach is rooted in the concept of the mirror neuron system, a group of neurons that are activated both when a person performs an action and when they observe the same action performed by others.

Control condition- placebo

Intervention Type: OTHER

Recording with images of landscapes without the presence of any person or animal that could evoke MI or OA.

Interventions

Motor Imagery (MI)

mental process where an individual visualizes or imagines themselves performing a movement without actually executing it physically. This cognitive process involves the mental rehearsal of motor actions, engaging similar neural pathways that are used when physically performing the action.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Action Observation (AO)

rehabilitation technique based on the principle of observing actions to improve motor function and learning. This approach is rooted in the concept of the mirror neuron system, a group of neurons that are activated both when a person performs an action and when they observe the same action performed by others.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Control condition- placebo

Recording with images of landscapes without the presence of any person or animal that could evoke MI or OA.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Being over 18 years of age
• Diagnoses of established stroke
• Present limitations or motor response deficiencies in the upper limb
• Maintain cognitive functions with the ability to follow the instructions of the interventions and evaluations (MOCA>14)

Exclusion Criteria

• Diagnosed with mental illness before the stroke
• Other systemic conditions on the central nervous system
• Cardiorespiratory system pathologies in severe cases
• Acute period, fever, muscle inflammation or myopathies
• Any type of vascular and organic insufficiency
• Liver disease or skin lesions in the area of application of the electrodes.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 99 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Salamanca

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ana María Martín Nogueras

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Universidad de Salmanca

Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Spain

Central Contacts

Beatriz María Bermejo Gil, Dr

Role: CONTACT

beatriz.bermejo@usal.es

622289468

Ana MAría Martín Nogueras, Dr

Role: CONTACT

anamar@usal.es

677510296

Facility Contacts

Beatriz María Bermejo Gil, Dr.

Role: primary

beatriz.bermejo@usal.es

622289468

Ana María Martín Nogueras

Role: backup

anamar@usal.es

677510296

Other Identifiers

MIAO

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id