EMG Analysis in ABI: Motor Imagery and Action

Official title

Upper Limb Electromyographic Response to Motor Imagery and Action Observation in Acquired Brain Injury Patients.

Overview

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.

Interventions

• Other 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.
• 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.
• Other Control condition- placebo
  Recording with images of landscapes without the presence of any person or animal that could evoke MI or OA.

Primary outcome measures

• Disability and Dependence Level - Barthel Index [Time frame: Administered once, typically taking a few minutes.]
• Upper Limb Functionality - Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) [Time frame: Administration time ranges from 5 to 15 minutes.]
• Cognitive Impairment - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) [Time frame: takes about 10 minutes for administration.]
• Perception Impairment - Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) [Time frame: Duration varies based on the number and type of subtests administered.]
• Mental Evocation Ability - Mental Evocation of Images, Movements, and Activities Questionnaire (CEMIMA) [Time frame: Duration varies]
• Quality of Life Perception - Stroke Impact Scale 16 (SIS-16) [Time frame: 5-10 minutes.]
• Electromyographic Activity During MI and AO [Time frame: during the experimental setup]

Secondary outcome measures (9)

• Age [Time frame: 1 minute]
• gender [Time frame: 1 minute]
• Marital Status [Time frame: 1 minute]
• Education Level [Time frame: 1 minute]
• Economic Status [Time frame: 1 minute]
• Affected Side [Time frame: 1 minute]
• Dominant Side [Time frame: 1 minute]
• Type of Lesion [Time frame: 1 minute]
• Time Since Injury [Time frame: 1 minute]

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.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

N/A

Model

Single group

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

Spain · 1 center

• Universidad de Salmanca — Salamanca

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06230718 · MIAO

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗