CompletedNot Applicable

Synergistic Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Denmark20 participantsStarted 2025-04-01

Plain-language summary

Participants attend two sessions, one week apart, as part of a randomized crossover study involving either an active or sham intervention. Both sessions follow identical procedures, except for the TMS intervention. Each session includes: three pain pressure threshold measurements, two TMS-EEG recordings, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on a stationary bike, and two resting-state EEG recordings. Repetitive TMS is administered as an active intervention in one session and as a sham in the other, and more.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 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 aged 18-60 years * Speak and understand English Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Regular use of cannabis, opioids, or other drugs * Chronic pain (i.e., pain most days within the last three months) * Current or previous neurologic or musculoskeletal illnesses, psychiatric diagnoses, or other ilnesses (e.g., brain or spinal cord injuries, degenerative neurological disorders, major depression, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, etc.) * Current regular use of analgesic medication or other medication which may affect the trial (including paracetamol and NSAIDs) * Recent history of acute pain (i.e., episodic migraine attacks or pain in the lower limbs) * Abnormally disrupted sleep in 24 hours preceding experiment * Contraindications to TMS application (history of epilepsy, metal implants in head or jaw, etc.) * Unable to fulfil the criteria of the "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Adult Safety Screen" * Presence of implanted hearing aids or metal implants on the face, including permanent makeup or tattoos. * Lack of ability to cooperate

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.

What they're measuring

Cortical connectivity

Timeframe: Day 1

Cortical connectivity

Timeframe: Day 2

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07058584

SponsorAalborg University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-05-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Aerobic Exercise trials