External perturbation of the trunk in standing humans differentially activates components of the medial back muscles.
G Lorimer Moseley, Paul W Hodges, S C Gandevia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12562944Actively Recruiting
Age: 18Years - 65Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID06975202
Test-retest Reliability and Agreement of Trunk Muscle Activation in Pain-free Persons
Led by University Ghent · Updated on 2025-05-16
18
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University Ghent
Lead Sponsor
V
VZW Educatieve Lichaamsbeweging
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying the consistency and agreement of trunk muscle activation during functional tasks and clinical sensorimotor control tests in people without pain. The focus is on understanding how trunk muscles, especially the deep and superficial parts of the lumbar multifidus, activate during movement. This is important because changes in muscle activation may contribute to recurring musculoskeletal issues like low back pain, and reliable measurements are needed to interpret these effects over time. The study uses surface and fine-wire electromyography (EMG) to measure muscle activity during functional tasks. Fine-wire EMG allows selective recording of deep muscle activation, which has not been extensively studied for reliability before. Participants will perform tests including rapid arm movements, and muscle activation will be recorded at two sessions separated by a 30-minute break to assess test-retest reliability. Participants will be involved in baseline and retest sessions where their trunk muscle onset and activation are measured. Researchers will evaluate various muscle activation parameters during these sessions. The study involves healthy, pain-free adults aged 18 to 65 years and includes assessments like voluntary and involuntary multifidus activation. The entire process aims to improve understanding of muscle function measurement reliability in people without pain.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Test-retest Reliability and Agreement of Trunk Muscle Activation in Pain-free Persons
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years - 65Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Pain-free persons between 18 and 65 years old
You will not qualify if you...
- Persons experiencing low back pain in the past year
- Patients with serious underlying conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
- Previous spinal surgery
- Persons with any type of blood clotting disorder
- Persons with upper-limb complaints that prevent them from exerting (maximum) force with their arms or hands
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Diagnostic Evaluation
Duration - Same day as baseline test and retest sessions
Participants undergo measurements of trunk muscle activation using surface and fine-wire electromyography during functional tasks.
2 visits (in-person): baseline test-session and retest-session after a 30-minute break
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Ghent, Belgium, 9000
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
L
Lieven Danneels, Professor
T
Thomas Matheve, Professor
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
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Paul W Hodges, Lieven Danneels
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31151377The evaluation of lumbar multifidus muscle function via palpation: reliability and validity of a new clinical test.
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