Investigation of Single Session Action Observation and Motor Imagery Training on Balance, Muscle Oxygenation, Fatigue

NCT ID: NCT07094334

Last Updated: 2025-09-18

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 42 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-08-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-31

Brief Summary

Action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) interventions are frequently employed both in the rehabilitation process following orthopedic injuries and surgeries, with aims such as reducing pain and increasing joint range of motion, as well as in the rehabilitation of neurological disorders to restore motor functions and achieve functional independence. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that AO and MI training can exert positive effects on motor performance and neurophysiological activation. Notably, when AO and MI training are applied in combination, it has been suggested that they produce a more pronounced impact on motor performance and support motor learning processes. The effects of these techniques have generally been evaluated following long-term interventions, and there is limited data in the literature regarding their effects after a single session. Furthermore, it has been shown in the literature that action observation and motor imagery training can elicit cortical activation. However, current scientific evidence concerning the peripheral effects of these interventions remains limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the acute effects of a single session of action observation and motor imagery training on upper extremity balance, muscle oxygenation, and fatigue in asymptomatic young adult males

Conditions

Motor Imagery Training; Action Observation Training

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Action Observation Group

Prior to the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be administered to determine participants' upper extremity balance levels. Participants in the group will watch video recordings of the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test, performed by a third person, from various angles, at both normal and slow motion speeds, for a total duration of 10 minutes. Following the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be performed in four repetitions, identical to the pre-intervention assessment. In order to prevent fatigue from influencing the outcomes, participants will be given a 5-minute rest period between the pre- and post-intervention assessments. The Moxy device will continuously monitor throughout all procedures. The fatigue levels of the participants will be evaluated prior to and following the test.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Action Observation

Intervention Type: OTHER

This study, in contrast to prior research, will examine both the acute effects of action observation therapy and its impacts at the peripheral level.

Action Observation combined with Motor Imagery Group

Prior to the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be administered to determine participants' upper extremity balance levels. Participants in this group will be asked to imagine themselves performing the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test while watching video recordings of the test, captured from different angles and executed by a third person, for a total duration of 10 minutes at both normal and slow-motion speeds. Following the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be performed in four repetitions, identical to the pre-intervention assessment. In order to prevent fatigue from influencing the outcomes, participants will be given a 5-minute rest period between the pre- and post-intervention assessments. The Moxy device will continuously monitor throughout all procedures. The fatigue levels of the participants will be evaluated prior to and following the test.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Action Observation combined with Motor Imagery

Intervention Type: OTHER

This study, in contrast to prior research, will examine both the acute effects of action observation therapy combined with motor imagery and its impacts at the peripheral level.

Control Group

Prior to the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be administered to determine participants' upper extremity balance levels. The participants will watch landscape and nature-themed videos for a duration of 10 minutes. Following the intervention, the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test will be performed in four repetitions, identical to the pre-intervention assessment. In order to prevent fatigue from influencing the outcomes, participants will be given a 5-minute rest period between the pre- and post-intervention assessments. The Moxy device will continuously monitor throughout all procedures. The fatigue levels of the participants will be evaluated prior to and following the test.

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham (No Treatment)

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants in this intervention group will watch landscape and nature-themed videos for the duration corresponding to the intervention period applied in the other groups.

Interventions

Action Observation

This study, in contrast to prior research, will examine both the acute effects of action observation therapy and its impacts at the peripheral level.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Action Observation combined with Motor Imagery

This study, in contrast to prior research, will examine both the acute effects of action observation therapy combined with motor imagery and its impacts at the peripheral level.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Sham (No Treatment)

Participants in this intervention group will watch landscape and nature-themed videos for the duration corresponding to the intervention period applied in the other groups.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• To be between 18 and 25 years of age
• To have no history of any surgical procedure involving the upper extremity
• To be male**

• Since the Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Stability Test is conducted in a different position for females, only male participants will be included in the study to maintain group homogeneity.

Exclusion Criteria

• Scoring 24 or below on the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)
• Having hearing, visual, or perceptual impairments that may affect the study outcomes
• Presence of any upper extremity problem
• Having neurological, metabolic, or systemic diseases

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Gazi University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Eren Ozen

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Zeynep Hazar, Prof.

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Gazi University

Sıla Çağla Demiralay, M.Sc.

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Gazi University

Şeyma CEBE KARACA, M.Sc.

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Gazi University

Locations

Gazi University

Ankara, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

Eren Özen

Role: CONTACT

fzterenozen@gmail.com

+90 266 606 4598

Facility Contacts

Gazi University Gazi University

Role: primary

sbf.ftr@gmail.com

0 312 216 26 21

Other Identifiers

2025 - 904

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id