EMG Analysis in ABI: Motor Imagery and Action

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

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Stroke; Quality of Life; Mirror Movement
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Motor Imagery (MI); Other: Action Observation (AO); Other: Control condition- placebo

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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 28
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Beatriz María Bermejo Gil, Dr; Phone Number: 622289468; Email: beatriz.bermejo@usal.es
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Ana MAría Martín Nogueras, Dr; Phone Number: 677510296; Email: anamar@usal.es

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Salamanca
    • Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain, 37007
      • Recruiting
      • Universidad de Salmanca
      • Contact: Beatriz María Bermejo Gil, Dr.; Phone Number: 622289468; Email: beatriz.bermejo@usal.es
      • Principal Investigator: Beatriz María Bermejo Gil, Dr
      • Contact: Ana María Martín Nogueras; Phone Number: 677510296; Email: anamar@usal.es
      • Principal Investigator: Sara Santiago Marín, Phd Student
      • Principal Investigator: AnaBelen Calvo Vera, Dr
      • Principal Investigator: Ana María Martín Nogueras, Dr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Intervention group; The intervention group will receive 3 experimental procedures; Placebo control; Motor Imagery- Active Comparator; Action Observation (OA) Active comparator muscle activation control by surface electromyography will be recorded in these three situations

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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Disability and Dependence Level - Barthel Index	A general measure assessing patient independence, evaluating performance in basic daily activities (ADLs).	Administered once, typically taking a few minutes.
Upper Limb Functionality - Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)	Assesses upper limb functionality post-cortical injury, involving manipulation tasks with various objects.	Administration time ranges from 5 to 15 minutes.
Cognitive Impairment - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)	Evaluates mild cognitive dysfunctions across multiple domains, including attention, memory, language, and executive functions.	takes about 10 minutes for administration.
Perception Impairment - Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA)	Specific for occupational therapy in stroke patients, assessing visual, spatial, motor, and cognitive perception.	Duration varies based on the number and type of subtests administered.
Mental Evocation Ability - Mental Evocation of Images, Movements, and Activities Questionnaire (CEMIMA)	Measures the ability to mentally form visual and kinesthetic images of the hand/upper limb.	Duration varies
Quality of Life Perception - Stroke Impact Scale 16 (SIS-16)	A self-report measure focusing on physical aspects including strength, hand function, mobility, and ADLs.	5-10 minutes.
Electromyographic Activity During MI and AO	muscle activity using surface electrodes on wrist extensors and flexors.	during the experimental setup

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Age	birth age	1 minute
gender	he gender with which the participant identifies	1 minute
Marital Status	single, married, divorced	1 minute
Education Level	he highest level of education	1 minute
Economic Status	participant's economic	1 minute
Affected Side	The side of the body affected by the stroke or injury	1 minute
Dominant Side	The side of the body that is the participant's natural dominant side	1 minute
Type of Lesion	specific type of brain injury	1 minute
Time Since Injury	time since the participant had the brain injury or stroke.	1 minute

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Salamanca

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 19, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 19, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): January 30, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): October 7, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 2, 2025
• Last Verified: October 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Neuroplasticity; Electromyography; Neurorehabilitation; Stroke rehabilitation; Upper Linb
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Stroke
• Other Study ID Numbers: MIAO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No