Pain Perception and Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia Across Circadian Rhythms
NCT ID: NCT07290465
Last Updated: 2025-12-18
Study Results
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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NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NA
56 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2026-01-31
2026-04-30
Brief Summary
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The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does the time of day (morning vs. evening) influence changes in pain perception following exercise?
* Do chronotype, sex, or stimulation site (bony vs. muscular) alter the magnitude of this effect?
Participants will:
* Complete questionnaires
* Undergo quantitative sensory testing
* Attend both morning and evening sessions in randomized crossover order
Detailed Description
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This randomized crossover trial will examine whether time of day (morning vs. evening) affects EIH in healthy adults. It will also explore the relationship between an individual's chronotype, the efficacy of EIH and the difference in magnitude between men and women, the difference in effect between bony and muscular landmarks for pressure stimulus application.
Null Hypothesis (H0) : Circadian rhythm has no significant influence on the efficacy of exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH), as measured by changes in pain perception before and after high intensity functional training at different times of day (morning vs. evening).
Alternative Hypothesis (H1): Circadian rhythm significantly influences the efficacy of exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH), with differences in pain perception before and after high intensity functional training depending on the time of day (morning vs. evening).
Each participant will complete both morning and evening sessions in randomized order, separated by ≥72 hours. Participants who completed the morning sessions will cross over to the evening sessions and vice versa. Within each session, they will perform a 12-minute supervised deep breathing control condition and a 12-minute HIFT intervention, separated by a 30-minute rest.
Conditions
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Keywords
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
CROSSOVER
BASIC_SCIENCE
DOUBLE
Study Groups
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Morning Chronotype
Participants classified as morning chronotype using the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) will attend both a morning session and an evening session in randomized order with at least 72 hours between visits. Within each session the participant completes both a 12-minute supervised deep-breathing control condition and a 12-minute High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) intervention, separated by a 30-minute break to minimize carryover effects. Pain perception is assessed before and after each condition.
High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT)
A 12-minute, instructor-led HIFT protocol delivered via the same video to all participants. After a 5-minute warm-up, participants perform six exercises targeting major muscle groups. The exercises are 4 lunges followed by one push-up, 10 high knees followed by 10 shuffles, burpees, squat jumps, skaters, and plank up-downs. Each exercise is done for 40 seconds then 20 seconds rest. The cycle repeats twice for a total of 12 minutes. Rate of Perceived Exertion (Borg scale) is recorded at baseline, post-warmup, during each rest interval, and immediately post-exercise. A physiotherapist supervises performance, ensures correct technique, and enforces safety and target intensity while motivating and encouraging the participant.
Supervised Deep Breathing
A 12-minute deep breathing session delivered via a prerecorded audio and supervised by a physiotherapist. The breathing rhythm includes inhaling for 4 seconds and exhaling for 6 seconds for a total 1 minute, followed by 1 minute of normal breathing. This cycle is repeated six times for a total duration of 12 minutes. Participants lie supine in a comfortable position and wear headphones. A self-reported Rate of Perceived Relaxation (RPR, 0-10) is recorded before and after. This serves as a non-exercise control to account for relaxation and attention effects.
Evening Chronotype
Participants classified as evening chronotype using the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) will attend both a morning session and an evening session in randomized order with at least 72 hours between visits. Within each session the participant completes both a 12-minute supervised deep-breathing control condition and a 12-minute High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) intervention, separated by a 30-minute break to minimize carryover effects. Pain perception is assessed before and after each condition.
High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT)
A 12-minute, instructor-led HIFT protocol delivered via the same video to all participants. After a 5-minute warm-up, participants perform six exercises targeting major muscle groups. The exercises are 4 lunges followed by one push-up, 10 high knees followed by 10 shuffles, burpees, squat jumps, skaters, and plank up-downs. Each exercise is done for 40 seconds then 20 seconds rest. The cycle repeats twice for a total of 12 minutes. Rate of Perceived Exertion (Borg scale) is recorded at baseline, post-warmup, during each rest interval, and immediately post-exercise. A physiotherapist supervises performance, ensures correct technique, and enforces safety and target intensity while motivating and encouraging the participant.
Supervised Deep Breathing
A 12-minute deep breathing session delivered via a prerecorded audio and supervised by a physiotherapist. The breathing rhythm includes inhaling for 4 seconds and exhaling for 6 seconds for a total 1 minute, followed by 1 minute of normal breathing. This cycle is repeated six times for a total duration of 12 minutes. Participants lie supine in a comfortable position and wear headphones. A self-reported Rate of Perceived Relaxation (RPR, 0-10) is recorded before and after. This serves as a non-exercise control to account for relaxation and attention effects.
Interventions
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High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT)
A 12-minute, instructor-led HIFT protocol delivered via the same video to all participants. After a 5-minute warm-up, participants perform six exercises targeting major muscle groups. The exercises are 4 lunges followed by one push-up, 10 high knees followed by 10 shuffles, burpees, squat jumps, skaters, and plank up-downs. Each exercise is done for 40 seconds then 20 seconds rest. The cycle repeats twice for a total of 12 minutes. Rate of Perceived Exertion (Borg scale) is recorded at baseline, post-warmup, during each rest interval, and immediately post-exercise. A physiotherapist supervises performance, ensures correct technique, and enforces safety and target intensity while motivating and encouraging the participant.
Supervised Deep Breathing
A 12-minute deep breathing session delivered via a prerecorded audio and supervised by a physiotherapist. The breathing rhythm includes inhaling for 4 seconds and exhaling for 6 seconds for a total 1 minute, followed by 1 minute of normal breathing. This cycle is repeated six times for a total duration of 12 minutes. Participants lie supine in a comfortable position and wear headphones. A self-reported Rate of Perceived Relaxation (RPR, 0-10) is recorded before and after. This serves as a non-exercise control to account for relaxation and attention effects.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* age 18 to 40 years
* good level of English that allow the enrolled participant to provide informed consent and complete the questionnaires provided
* being categorized as "moderate" in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)
Exclusion Criteria
* consumption of narcotics or tobacco products
* regularly taking pain medications and analgesics
* pregnant or planning to get pregnant
* surgery within the last 12 months
* acute or chronic pain conditions
* uncontrolled hypertension
* cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, neurological diseases with significant changes in somatosensory and pain perception, metabolic diseases, serious systemic diseases or conditions that restrict normal daily activities, inflammatory conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis), or orthopedic injuries
* intolerable pain during the pain perception test
* serious psychiatric conditions (e.g., schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) or psychological disorders (e.g., depression) that may affect pain thresholds (16).
* Severe sleep disorders and circadian rhythm disturbances
* BMI \> 30
* serious fatigue or delayed-onset muscle soreness (9) at least 24 h after exercise sessions or a sudden change in activity for more than one week
18 Years
40 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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Medipol University
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Fatema Mohamed Daoud Soliman
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigators
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Gizem Ergezen Şahin, Dr. Assistant Professor
Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation/Istanbul Medipol University
Locations
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Istanbul Medipol University
Istanbul, Beykoz, Turkey (Türkiye)
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Fatema Mohamed Soliman, PT, MSc (Cand.)
Role: CONTACT
Phone: +90 537 736 20 79
Email: [email protected]
Facility Contacts
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Fatema Mohamed Soliman, PT, MSc (Cand.)
Role: primary
Related Links
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The revised International Association for the Study of Pain definition of pain: concepts, challenges, and compromises.
A meta-analytic review of the hypoalgesic effects of exercise
Exercise induced hypoalgesia after a high intensity functional training: a randomized controlled crossover study
Quantitative sensory testing: a practical guide and clinical applications
Day-to-day reliability of pressure pain threshold and pain ratings in college-aged men. International journal of rehabilitation research.
New Insights Into the Circadian Rhythm and Its Related Diseases.
Other Identifiers
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E-10840098-202.3.02-1597
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id