The Effects of Performing a Motor Imagery Task on Cortical Excitability During Acute Experimental Muscle Pain and Acute Itch

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-10-01

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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The aim of this project is to determine the effects of performing a motor imagery task on cortical excitability during acute experimental muscle pain (induced by hypertonic saline), acute histaminergic itch (induced by histamine), and non-histaminergic itch stimulation (triggered by Cowhage). We hypothesize that motor imagery will counteract the alterations in cortical excitability observed during experimental muscle pain and both itch models.

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Detailed Description

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Itch and pain share many similarities and dissimilarities in terms of the mechanisms and molecules involved. Many studies have been conducted to explain all the neurophysiological aspects involved in the pain process, and cortical adaptations have been provoked in healthy individuals using experimental pain models. Unfortunately, all these aspects still need to be clarified regarding itch. Has been previously demonstrated that motor imagery can counteracted the pain-induced decrease in corticospinal excitability observed during acute pain, and it has also been proposed as a potential intervention for individuals with pain to restore maladaptive neuroplasticity. However, whether motor imagery can similarly counteract the itch-induced cortical changes remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this project is to investigate whether motor imagery would counteract the reduction in cortical excitability during acute itch, similar to the effects observed in the context of acute pain.

Conditions

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Itch Pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

we apply one of three experimental methods in your hand: either an injection of salt water (7% NaCl) or we apply small needles from the plant mucuna pruriens or histamine (1%)

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Experimental:Healthy volunteers

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Hypertonic Saline

Intervention Type OTHER

A bolus injection of hypertonic saline (7% NaCl) will be administered to the FDI muscle using a 1 mL syringe with a disposable needle (27G), and the volume of the bolus will be 0.1 mL

Histamine

Intervention Type OTHER

A small drop of histamine dihydrochloride will be applied to a previously determined area on the volar forearm, followed by a prick through the drop

Cowhage

Intervention Type OTHER

This insertion is conducted by forceps using a stereomicroscope, and 30-35 spicules are gently rubbed into a 1 cm diameter skin area.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to evoke motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in the muscle of interest and cortical responses (TMSevoked potentials - TEPs) in the motor cortex with a figure-eight-shaped cone coil.

Interventions

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Hypertonic Saline

A bolus injection of hypertonic saline (7% NaCl) will be administered to the FDI muscle using a 1 mL syringe with a disposable needle (27G), and the volume of the bolus will be 0.1 mL

Intervention Type OTHER

Histamine

A small drop of histamine dihydrochloride will be applied to a previously determined area on the volar forearm, followed by a prick through the drop

Intervention Type OTHER

Cowhage

This insertion is conducted by forceps using a stereomicroscope, and 30-35 spicules are gently rubbed into a 1 cm diameter skin area.

Intervention Type OTHER

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to evoke motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in the muscle of interest and cortical responses (TMSevoked potentials - TEPs) in the motor cortex with a figure-eight-shaped cone coil.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Healthy men and women
* 18-60 years
* Speak and understand English

Exclusion Criteria

* Pregnancy or lactation
* Drug addiction defined as any use of cannabis, opioids, or other addictive drugs
* Previous or current history of neurological (e.g. neuropathy), immunological (e.g. asthma, immune deficiencies, arthritis), musculoskeletal (e.g. muscular pain in the upper extremities,), cardiac disorder (e.g., heart stroke), or psychiatric diagnoses (e.g. depression) that may affect the results
* Current use of medications that may affect the trial, such as antihistamines, antipsychotics, and painkillers, as well as systemic or topical steroids
* Skin diseases (e.g., atopic dermatitis, pruritus nodularis, eczema, psoriasis)
* Moles, scars, or tattoos in the area to be treated or tested.
* Consumption of alcohol or painkillers 24 hours before the study days and between these
* Acute or chronic pain
* Unable to pass the "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Adult Safety Screen" (subproject 1 and 2)
* Contraindications to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) application (history of epilepsy, metal implants in head or jaw, etc.)
* Presence of implanted hearing aids or metal implants on the face, including permanent makeup or tattoos
* Participation in other trials within one week of study entry (four weeks in the case of pharmaceutical trials)
* Lack of ability to cooperate

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes