Knee Range-of-motion, Quadriceps Muscle Stiffness
Conditions
Brief summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy as an adjunct to warm-up exercises, in healthy participants. Researchers will investigate both the immediate effect of one round of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) and after a warm-up exercise, on participants' range-of-motion (ROM) at the knee and quadriceps' muscle stiffness, measured through shear wave elastography, an ultrasound technique. This may be useful in future interventions to protect against sports injuries. Participants will have their knee ROM and quadriceps' muscle stiffness measured thrice, once at baseline, once after PEMF/sham treatment, and once after 5 minutes of warm-up stationary bike exercises. Researchers will compare with sham treatment to see if there are any significant effects from PEMF therapy.
Detailed description
The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy as an adjunct to warm-up exercises, in healthy participants. Researchers will investigate both the immediate effect of one round of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) and after a warm-up exercise, on participants' range-of-motion (ROM) at the knee and quadriceps' muscle stiffness, measured through shear wave elastography, an ultrasound technique. This may be useful in future interventions to protect against sports injuries. Participants will have their knee ROM and quadriceps' muscle stiffness measured thrice, once at baseline, once after PEMF/sham treatment, and once after 5 minutes of warm-up stationary bike exercises. * Baseline measurement of knee ROM and quadriceps' muscle stiffness * Receive PEMF for ten minutes around their knee joint * Interim measurement of knee ROM and quadriceps' muscle stiffness * Perform 5 minutes of warm-up exercise on a stationary bike * Final measurement of knee ROM and quadriceps' muscle stiffness Researchers will compare with sham treatment to see if there are any significant effects from PEMF therapy.
Interventions
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for 10 minutes, using a PEMF device, at 1 mT, 15 Hz.
DEVICESham treatment
Sham treatment, using the same PEMF device
Sponsors
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Aged between 18 and 40 * Obtained written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* History of major musculoskeletal or locomotor system disorder of lower limb * History of traumatic or non-traumatic injury of lower limb * History of surgical intervention of lower limb in the past 1 year * Under any rehabilitation program at the time of investigation * Contraindicated to physical exercises
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in knee range-of-motion from baseline immediately after PEMF and after warm-up exercise, as assessed by goniometer | From before PEMF/sham treatment to end of treatment and warm-up exercise, within 1 hour | A goniometer will be used to measure the knee range-of-motion: the static arm will follow a line joining the knee to the greater trochanter of the femur, and the moving arm a line from the knee to the lateral malleolus of the ankle |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in quadriceps muscle stiffness from baseline immediately after PEMF and after warm-up exercise, as assessed by ultrasound shear wave elastography | From before PEMF/sham treatment to end of treatment and warm-up exercise, within 1 hour | Ultrasound imaging and shear wave elastography will be used to measure the stiffness of the three superficial quadriceps muscles (vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and rectus femoris). Markings will be made to standardise the position of scanning. Ultrasound imaging will be used to verify the muscle being scanned. After shear wave is applied and a stable image is obtained, Young's modulus will be measured as a measure of muscle stiffness. |
Countries
Hong Kong
Outcome results
None listed