Pre-frontal Cortical Oxygenated and Deoxygenated Hemoglobin LevelsNCT06703424
Effects of Light Intensity Physical Activities on Pre-frontal Cortical Activation, Cognitive Function, Sleepiness and Back Pain
A study testing Sit-cycling and Stand-twisting in people with Pre-frontal Cortical Oxygenated and Deoxygenated Hemoglobin Levels, run by Chia Yong Hwa Michael at 1 site in Singapore.
Trial summary
The objective of this randomised controlled trial is to examine the acute effects of two novel light intensity exercise (sit-cycling and stand-twisting) on prefrontal cortical blood oxygenation, executive functioning, sleepiness and back pain among inactive university students. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Pre-frontal Cortical Oxygenated and Deoxygenated Hemoglobin Levels
- What is being tested?
- Sit-cycling and Stand-twisting
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 23 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSingapore
- Study dates
- 11 Aug 2024to 31 Dec 2024
- 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 21 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- NTU-NIE university student, between 21 and 30 years old, do not meet physical activity guidelines (150 mins of weekly MVPA)
Who cannot join
- taking blood-pressure lowering medication
- physically active (150 mins or more of weekly MVPA)
- deemed not physically fit to participate in physical activity based on responses to Get Active Questionnaire
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Singapore1 site
Block 5 Physical Education and Sport Science
Singapore, Singapore
About this study
Official title: Investigating the Acute Effects of Light Intensity Physical Activities on Pre-frontal Cortical Activation, Cognitive Function, Sleepiness and Back Pain Among Physically Inactive University Students
The objective of this randomised controlled trial is to examine the acute effects of two novel light intensity exercise (sit-cycling and stand-twisting) on prefrontal cortical blood oxygenation, executive functioning, sleepiness and back pain among inactive university students.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
- What are the changes in oxygenated haemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) levels in the prefrontal cortex from baseline to immediately after and 20 minutes after a 5-min bout of S-C and S-T compared to sitting for the same duration?
- What are the changes in executive functioning, specifically, n-back test and Word Colour Stroop test performance from baseline to immediately after and 20 minutes after a bout of S-C and S-T compared to sitting for the same duration?
- How does participants' self-rated daytime sleepiness and back pain after a bout of S-C and S-T compare to sitting for the same duration?
Participants will:
- Perform sit-cycling or stand-twisting for 5 mins (experimental condition) and sit for 5 mins (control condition)
- Wear the functional near-infrared spectroscopy cap on their head throughout the measurements
- Complete 1-back, 2-back test and Word Colour Stroop before, immediately after and 20 minutes after experimental/ control condition
- Have their blood pressure, heart rate taken by a smartwatch
- Complete a daytime sleepiness questionnaire and a back pain questionnaire
- Being tested
- Sit-cycling, Stand-twisting
- Keywords
- light-intensity exercise, pre-frontal cortical activation, executive functioning, university students, inactive
- Medical subject headings
- Sedentary Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Sit-cyclingOther
Sit-cycling for 5 mins
Stand-twistingOther
Stand-twisting for 5 mins
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-cycling | Experimental | Sit-cycling on a seat-cycle for 5 mins Receives: Other: Sit-cycling |
| Stand-twisting | Experimental | Stand-twisting on a stand-twister for 5 mins Receives: Other: Stand-twisting |
| Sitting only | No intervention | Sitting only for 5 mins |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
1-back test accuracy (%)
Number of correct trials (correct recall)
Measured: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
1-back test reaction time (ms)
Average reaction time across trials
Measured: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
2-back test accuracy (%)
Number of correct trials (correct recall)
Measured: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
2-back test reaction time (ms)
Average reaction time across trials
Measured: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Colour Word Stroop test accuracy (congruent) (%)
Number of correct trials recall
Measured: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Colour Word Stroop test accuracy (incongruent) (%)
Number of correct trials recall
Measured: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Colour Word Stroop test reaction time (congruent) (ms)
Average reaction time across trials
Measured: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Colour Word Stroop test reaction time (incongruent) (ms)
Average reaction time across trials
Measured: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
pre-frontal cortical oxygenated hemoglobin levels (micrometre)
measured by functional near infrared spectroscopy
Measured: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
pre-frontal cortical deoxygenated hemoglobin levels (micrometre)
measured by functional near infrared spectroscopy
Measured: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Nov 2024
- Study start11 Aug 2024
- Primary completion31 Dec 2024
- Study completion31 Dec 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Pre-frontal Cortical Oxygenated and Deoxygenated Hemoglobin LevelsStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- Two-arm intervention, crossover study design
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 23 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Chia Yong Hwa Michael
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Sendai University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Chia Yong Hwa Michael, Nanyang Technological University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06703424
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- NanyangTU
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Nov 2024
- Last updated
- 16 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data constitute as personal data. Under the Singapore Personal Data Protection Act, it is mandatory that individually identifiable data are to be kept confidential.
Publications
Ma J, Chua BKT, Chin YHJ, Teo WP, Kim H, Low ST, Li D, Chia YHM. Effects of 5-Minute Light-Intensity Physical Activity Breaks (Sit-Cycling and Stand-Twisting) on Cognitive Function, Sleepiness, and Back Pain in Physically Inactive University Students: Protocol for a Mixed-Design Laboratory Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2026 Mar 17;15:e82510. doi: 10.2196/82510.
PubMed 41843905
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigating the Acute Effects of Light Intensity Physical Activities on Pre-frontal Cortical Activation, Cognitive Function, Sleepiness and Back Pain Among Physically Inactive University Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06703424
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- NanyangTU
- Keywords
- light-intensity exercise, pre-frontal cortical activation, executive functioning, university students, inactive
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 23 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Chia Yong Hwa MichaelUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Sendai University
- Study start
- 11 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Nov 2024 (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.
The objective of this randomised controlled trial is to examine the acute effects of two novel light intensity exercise (sit-cycling and stand-twisting) on prefrontal cortical blood oxygenation, executive functioning, sleepiness and back pain among inactive university students.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- What are the changes in oxygenated haemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) levels in the prefrontal cortex from baseline to immediately after and 20 minutes after a 5-min bout of S-C and S-T compared to sitting for the same duration?
- What are the changes in executive functioning, specifically, n-back test and Word Colour Stroop test performance from baseline to immediately after and 20 minutes after a bout of S-C and S-T compared to sitting for the same duration?
- How does participants' self-rated daytime sleepiness and back pain after a bout of S-C and S-T compare to sitting for the same duration?
Participants will:
- Perform sit-cycling or stand-twisting for 5 mins (experimental condition) and sit for 5 mins (control condition)
- Wear the functional near-infrared spectroscopy cap on their head throughout the measurements
- Complete 1-back, 2-back test and Word Colour Stroop before, immediately after and 20 minutes after experimental/ control condition
- Have their blood pressure, heart rate taken by a smartwatch
- Complete a daytime sleepiness questionnaire and a back pain questionnaire
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Two-arm intervention, crossover study design
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-cycling | Experimental | Other: Sit-cyclingSit-cycling on a seat-cycle for 5 mins |
| Stand-twisting | Experimental | Other: Stand-twistingStand-twisting on a stand-twister for 5 mins |
| Sitting only | No intervention | –Sitting only for 5 mins |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- NTU-NIE university student, between 21 and 30 years old, do not meet physical activity guidelines (150 mins of weekly MVPA)
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- taking blood-pressure lowering medication
- physically active (150 mins or more of weekly MVPA)
- deemed not physically fit to participate in physical activity based on responses to Get Active Questionnaire
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-cyclingSit-cycling for 5 mins | Other | Sit-cycling |
| Stand-twistingStand-twisting for 5 mins | Other | Stand-twisting |
Primary outcome
1-back test accuracy (%)
Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Number of correct trials (correct recall)
1-back test reaction time (ms)
Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Average reaction time across trials
2-back test accuracy (%)
Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Number of correct trials (correct recall)
2-back test reaction time (ms)
Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Average reaction time across trials
Colour Word Stroop test accuracy (congruent) (%)
Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Number of correct trials recall
Colour Word Stroop test accuracy (incongruent) (%)
Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Number of correct trials recall
Colour Word Stroop test reaction time (congruent) (ms)
Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Average reaction time across trials
Colour Word Stroop test reaction time (incongruent) (ms)
Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
Average reaction time across trials
pre-frontal cortical oxygenated hemoglobin levels (micrometre)
Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
measured by functional near infrared spectroscopy
pre-frontal cortical deoxygenated hemoglobin levels (micrometre)
Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)
measured by functional near infrared spectroscopy
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Apr 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41843905Ma J, Chua BKT, Chin YHJ, Teo WP, Kim H, Low ST, Li D, Chia YHM. Effects of 5-Minute Light-Intensity Physical Activity Breaks (Sit-Cycling and Stand-Twisting) on Cognitive Function, Sleepiness, and Back Pain in Physically Inactive University Students: Protocol for a Mixed-Design Laboratory Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2026 Mar 17;15:e82510. doi: 10.2196/82510.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data constitute as personal data. Under the Singapore Personal Data Protection Act, it is mandatory that individually identifiable data are to be kept confidential.
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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Sit-cycling and Stand-twisting in people with Pre-frontal Cortical Oxygenated and Deoxygenated Hemoglobin Levels, run by Chia Yong Hwa Michael at 1 site in Singapore.
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 1 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Apr 2026. 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 Singapore. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
1-back test accuracy (%) (time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)). The study lists 10 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06703424, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 16 Apr 2026.