Mirror Neurons in Older Participants (NCT03946709) | Clinical Trial Compass
TerminatedNot Applicable
Mirror Neurons in Older Participants
Stopped: COVID-19 risk in older adults.
United States14 participantsStarted 2018-12-20
Plain-language summary
A critical problem facing aging adults is muscle weakness. Whereas scientists have traditionally attributed the loss of muscle strength with aging to muscle atrophy, emerging evidence suggests that impairments in the neuromuscular system's ability to voluntarily generate force plays a more central role than previously appreciated. One area that has not yet been investigated includes the role that observing another's actions - thereby activating mirror neurons - plays in muscle force generation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the acute effects of action observation on muscular strength, voluntary muscle activation, and cortical excitability and inhibition in older adults.
Who can participate
Age range
60 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Healthy men and women ≥60 years of age
Exclusion Criteria:
* Neuromuscular disease (e.g. Parkinson's, MS, ALS)
* Metabolic disease (e.g. diabetes, thyroid disorder, metabolic syndrome)
* Arthritis in the upper limbs (hands, arms, shoulders)
* Trouble using or controlling one's muscles
* History of cancer
* History of stroke
* History of heart attack
* Use of an assistive walking device or other mobility aids
* Physician mandated contraindication to exercise within the last 6 months
* Epilepsy or history of convulsions/seizures
* History of fainting or syncope
* History of head trauma that was diagnosed as concussion or was associated with loss of consciousness
* History of hearing problems or tinnitus
* Cochlear implants
* Implanted metal in the brain, skull, or elsewhere in the body
* Implanted neurotransmitter
* Cardiac pacemaker or intracardiac lines
* Medication infusion device
* Past problems with brain stimulation
* Past problems with MRI
* Use of muscle relaxants or benzodiazepines
* Allergy to rubbing alcohol
* Any other health related illnesses that would prohibit a participant from physical performance testing
* Lack of transportation to and from the laboratory
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.