PostureNCT05608850
Acute Responses of Postural Alignment, Kinematic Synergy, and Intermuscular Coherence to Postural Muscle Facilitation
A study testing Exercise Then Stretch and Stretch Then Exercise in people with Posture and Musculoskeletal Equilibrium, run by Radford University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Clinicians frequently assess and intervene on postural alignment. However, research demonstrating the effects of exercise interventions in moving postural alignment toward an evidence-based standard is lacking. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Posture, Musculoskeletal Equilibrium, Electromyography
- What is being tested?
- Exercise Then Stretch and Stretch Then Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 15 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 25 Oct 2022to May 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy adult
- 18 - 40 years of age
Who cannot join
- Recent (< 6 months) history of lower extremity injury
- Recent (< 6 months) history of other musculoskeletal or neurological disorder affecting balance
- Contraindications to participation in physical activity
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Radford University Carilion
Roanoke, Virginia, 24013
Stephen M Glass, PhD, 540-831-1959, smglass1@radford.edu
About this study
Clinicians frequently assess and intervene on postural alignment. However, research demonstrating the effects of exercise interventions in moving postural alignment toward an evidence-based standard is lacking. Part of the difficulty in establishing such evidence has been a lack of theory-motivated conceptions of what "good" posture is. In other words, the prevailing understanding of postural alignment is based on the negation of what has been observed to associate with bad outcomes. This study will build upon preliminary findings from our laboratory that define good postural alignment on theoretical grounds. The investigators will measure motion capture and muscle activation patterns during simple postural alignment tasks before and after 1) a corrective exercise intervention, or 2) a control intervention based designed to inhibit superficial muscle tension. The corrective exercise intervention is designed to counteract the natural patterns in which the human skeleton tends to collapse from a standing position under the influence of gravity. The control intervention consists of passive, partner-assisted stretching. Regardless of initial assignment, all participants will crossover (i.e. switch interventions) and repeat the study procedures after a 1-week washout period. Behavioral indicators of movement and nervous system coordination will be used to quantify alignment before and after exercise, as well as the consistency of those alignment patterns with theoretically-defined standards. The knowledge gained from this study will contribute to evidence-based definitions of healthy postural alignment and help identify effective interventions by which clinicians can promote good posture.
- Conditions
- Posture, Musculoskeletal Equilibrium, Electromyography, Kinematics
- Being tested
- Exercise Then Stretch, Stretch Then Exercise
- Keywords
- Alignment, Posture, Motor control, Intervention
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Exercise Then StretchOther
This arm (sequence) will perform an anti-gravity kinetic chain intervention and then a passive, partner-assisted stretching intervention, separated by a one-week washout period.
Stretch Then ExerciseOther
This arm (sequence) will perform a passive, partner-assisted stretching intervention and then an anti-gravity kinetic chain intervention , separated by a one-week washout period.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Then Stretch | Other | Participants in AB will perform the experimental (exercise) intervention first and the control (stretch) intervention second Receives: Other: Exercise Then Stretch; Other: Stretch Then Exercise |
| Stretch Then Exercise | Other | Participants in BA will perform the experimental (exercise) intervention second and the control (stretch) intervention first Receives: Other: Exercise Then Stretch; Other: Stretch Then Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Euclidean distance from the vector describing subject-specific, simulated gravitational collapse
This outcome is a cumulative descriptor of segment angle distance from the pattern in which an individual's posture would collapse. The reference point for each individual is calculated using both pre and post-intervention data for a given day.
Measured: Immediately before Intervention (Day 1)
Euclidean distance from the vector describing subject-specific, simulated gravitational collapse
This outcome is a cumulative descriptor of segment angle distance from the pattern in which an individual's posture would collapse. The reference point for each individual is calculated using both pre and post-intervention data for a given day.
Measured: Immediately after Intervention (Day 1)
Euclidean distance from the vector describing subject-specific, simulated gravitational collapse
This outcome is a cumulative descriptor of segment angle distance from the pattern in which an individual's posture would collapse. The reference point for each individual is calculated using both pre and post-intervention data for a given day.
Measured: Immediately before Intervention (Day 7)
Euclidean distance from the vector describing subject-specific, simulated gravitational collapse
This outcome is a cumulative descriptor of segment angle distance from the pattern in which an individual's posture would collapse. The reference point for each individual is calculated using both pre and post-intervention data for a given day.
Measured: Immediately after Intervention (Day 7)
Pooled intermuscular coherence
Weighted average of frequency-domain correlations between muscle pairs belonging to anterior, posterior, and trunk muscle groups.
Measured: Immediately before Intervention (Day 1)
Pooled intermuscular coherence
Weighted average of frequency-domain correlations between muscle pairs belonging to anterior, posterior, and trunk muscle groups.
Measured: Immediately after Intervention (Day 1)
Pooled intermuscular coherence
Weighted average of frequency-domain correlations between muscle pairs belonging to anterior, posterior, and trunk muscle groups.
Measured: Immediately before Intervention (Day 7)
Pooled intermuscular coherence
Weighted average of frequency-domain correlations between muscle pairs belonging to anterior, posterior, and trunk muscle groups.
Measured: Immediately after Intervention (Day 7)
Secondary outcomes (4)
Top-down kinetic chain continuity
The purpose of this outcome is to quantify the communication of motion from the upper body to the lower body. In a test involving placing hands-on-head and pulling the elbows back as far as possible, the response in the lower body is quantified by posterior rotation of the tibial segment.
Measured: Immediately before Intervention (Day 1)
Top-down kinetic chain continuity
The purpose of this outcome is to quantify the communication of motion from the upper body to the lower body. In a test involving placing hands-on-head and pulling the elbows back as far as possible, the response in the lower body is quantified by posterior rotation of the tibial segment.
Measured: Immediately after Intervention (Day 1)
Top-down kinetic chain continuity
The purpose of this outcome is to quantify the communication of motion from the upper body to the lower body. In a test involving placing hands-on-head and pulling the elbows back as far as possible, the response in the lower body is quantified by posterior rotation of the tibial segment.
Measured: Immediately before Intervention (Day 7)
Top-down kinetic chain continuity
The purpose of this outcome is to quantify the communication of motion from the upper body to the lower body. In a test involving placing hands-on-head and pulling the elbows back as far as possible, the response in the lower body is quantified by posterior rotation of the tibial segment.
Measured: Immediately after Intervention (Day 7)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Nov 2022
- Study start25 Oct 2022
- Primary completionMay 2023 (estimated)
- Study completionMay 2023 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for PostureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Radford University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Stephen Glass, Radford University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05608850
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2021-288-RUC
- Status last verified
- Nov 2022
- First submitted
- 28 Oct 2022
- Last updated
- 8 Nov 2022
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified raw data for individual participants will be shared upon request with parties committing to institutional data sharing agreements.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Nov 2022. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Responses of Postural Alignment, Kinematic Synergy, and Intermuscular Coherence to Postural Muscle Facilitation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05608850
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2021-288-RUC
- Conditions
- Posture, Musculoskeletal Equilibrium, Electromyography, Kinematics
- Keywords
- Alignment, Posture, Motor control, Intervention
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Radford UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Oct 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- May 2023 (estimated)
- Study completion
- May 2023 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Nov 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Clinicians frequently assess and intervene on postural alignment. However, research demonstrating the effects of exercise interventions in moving postural alignment toward an evidence-based standard is lacking. Part of the difficulty in establishing such evidence has been a lack of theory-motivated conceptions of what "good" posture is. In other words, the prevailing understanding of postural alignment is based on the negation of what has been observed to associate with bad outcomes. This study will build upon preliminary findings from our laboratory that define good postural alignment on theoretical grounds. The investigators will measure motion capture and muscle activation patterns during simple postural alignment tasks before and after 1) a corrective exercise intervention, or 2) a control intervention based designed to inhibit superficial muscle tension. The corrective exercise intervention is designed to counteract the natural patterns in which the human skeleton tends to collapse from a standing position under the influence of gravity. The control intervention consists of passive, partner-assisted stretching. Regardless of initial assignment, all participants will crossover (i.e. switch interventions) and repeat the study procedures after a 1-week washout period. Behavioral indicators of movement and nervous system coordination will be used to quantify alignment before and after exercise, as well as the consistency of those alignment patterns with theoretically-defined standards. The knowledge gained from this study will contribute to evidence-based definitions of healthy postural alignment and help identify effective interventions by which clinicians can promote good posture.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Then Stretch | Other | Other: Exercise Then Stretch, Other: Stretch Then ExerciseParticipants in AB will perform the experimental (exercise) intervention first and the control (stretch) intervention second |
| Stretch Then Exercise | Other | Other: Exercise Then Stretch, Other: Stretch Then ExerciseParticipants in BA will perform the experimental (exercise) intervention second and the control (stretch) intervention first |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Healthy adult
- 18 - 40 years of age
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Recent (< 6 months) history of lower extremity injury
- Recent (< 6 months) history of other musculoskeletal or neurological disorder affecting balance
- Contraindications to participation in physical activity
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Then StretchThis arm (sequence) will perform an anti-gravity kinetic chain intervention and then a passive, partner-assisted stretching intervention, separated by a one-week washout period. | Other | Exercise Then Stretch, Stretch Then Exercise |
| Stretch Then ExerciseThis arm (sequence) will perform a passive, partner-assisted stretching intervention and then an anti-gravity kinetic chain intervention , separated by a one-week washout period. | Other | Exercise Then Stretch, Stretch Then Exercise |
Primary outcome
Euclidean distance from the vector describing subject-specific, simulated gravitational collapse
Time frame: Immediately before Intervention (Day 1)
This outcome is a cumulative descriptor of segment angle distance from the pattern in which an individual's posture would collapse. The reference point for each individual is calculated using both pre and post-intervention data for a given day.
Euclidean distance from the vector describing subject-specific, simulated gravitational collapse
Time frame: Immediately after Intervention (Day 1)
This outcome is a cumulative descriptor of segment angle distance from the pattern in which an individual's posture would collapse. The reference point for each individual is calculated using both pre and post-intervention data for a given day.
Euclidean distance from the vector describing subject-specific, simulated gravitational collapse
Time frame: Immediately before Intervention (Day 7)
This outcome is a cumulative descriptor of segment angle distance from the pattern in which an individual's posture would collapse. The reference point for each individual is calculated using both pre and post-intervention data for a given day.
Euclidean distance from the vector describing subject-specific, simulated gravitational collapse
Time frame: Immediately after Intervention (Day 7)
This outcome is a cumulative descriptor of segment angle distance from the pattern in which an individual's posture would collapse. The reference point for each individual is calculated using both pre and post-intervention data for a given day.
Pooled intermuscular coherence
Time frame: Immediately before Intervention (Day 1)
Weighted average of frequency-domain correlations between muscle pairs belonging to anterior, posterior, and trunk muscle groups.
Pooled intermuscular coherence
Time frame: Immediately after Intervention (Day 1)
Weighted average of frequency-domain correlations between muscle pairs belonging to anterior, posterior, and trunk muscle groups.
Pooled intermuscular coherence
Time frame: Immediately before Intervention (Day 7)
Weighted average of frequency-domain correlations between muscle pairs belonging to anterior, posterior, and trunk muscle groups.
Pooled intermuscular coherence
Time frame: Immediately after Intervention (Day 7)
Weighted average of frequency-domain correlations between muscle pairs belonging to anterior, posterior, and trunk muscle groups.
4 secondary outcomes
Top-down kinetic chain continuity
Time frame: Immediately before Intervention (Day 1)
Top-down kinetic chain continuity
Time frame: Immediately after Intervention (Day 1)
Top-down kinetic chain continuity
Time frame: Immediately before Intervention (Day 7)
Top-down kinetic chain continuity
Time frame: Immediately after Intervention (Day 7)
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Nov 2022.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified raw data for individual participants will be shared upon request with parties committing to institutional data sharing agreements.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise Then Stretch and Stretch Then Exercise in people with Posture and Musculoskeletal Equilibrium, run by Radford University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Nov 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Stephen M Glass, PhD (540-831-1959, smglass1@radford.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Euclidean distance from the vector describing subject-specific, simulated gravitational collapse (time frame: Immediately before Intervention (Day 1)). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Nov 2022; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.