Less is Better? Effectiveness of a Short Local Vibration Protocol on Neuromuscular Function (VIB-EXPRESS)

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne

Status: Begins enrollment this month

Conditions: Healthy Volonteers

Treatments: Device: Local vibration protocol

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07344298

ANSM (Other Identifier)

25CH170

Details and patient eligibility

About

Local vibration is a non-invasive neuromuscular stimulation modality used in training and rehabilitation for its effects on neuromuscular function, particularly its ability to induce nervous adaptations. Its passive application is particularly useful in cases of motor deficit or immobilization.

Several studies, including our own, have shown that vibration protocols over several weeks can induce significant gains in muscle strength, particularly in the knee extensors. However, the parameters of application remain heterogeneous, particularly with regard to the duration of the interventions.

With this in mind, a prospective controlled study is being conducted in healthy subjects, comparing four modalities of local vibration intervention targeting the knee extensors: an intensive vibration protocol over 5 consecutive days (1 session of 30 or 60 minutes per day) and a protocol spread over 4 weeks at a rate of 3 weekly sessions of 30 or 60 minutes). The objective is to evaluate and compare their immediate and delayed effects on force production and corticospinal properties. The results of this study will thus help optimize recommendations regarding the use of local vibration in muscle strengthening and neuromuscular reconditioning strategies.

Enrollment: 72 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women,
• Aged between 18 and 45,
• With a body mass index between 20 and 25 kg/m²,
• Who have received detailed information about the study and have co-signed the consent form with the investigator,
• Who are affiliated with or entitled to social security coverage.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects with chronic cardiovascular, neuromuscular, bone, metabolic, and/or inflammatory conditions,
• Personal history and/or risk factors for thrombosis,
• Subjects undergoing antidepressant treatment,
• Subjects who have taken corticosteroid treatment in the last 3 months,
• Use of neuroactive substances likely to alter corticospinal excitability (hypnotics, antiepileptics, psychotropic drugs, muscle relaxants) during the study period,
• History of bone or ligament trauma to the lower limbs within the last 12 months,
• Unable to perform the physical efforts required for the study,
• Engaging in intense and unusual physical activity, including competitive sports, in the month preceding and during the protocol,
• Presence of a skin lesion at the site where the vibrator is to be placed,
• Simultaneous participation in another interventional medical trial,
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Subjects unable to understand the purpose and conditions of the study, unable to give their consent,
• Subjects deprived of their liberty or subject to legal protection such as guardianship

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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72 participants in 4 patient groups

Group "5 days and 30 min"

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will follow a protocol involving local vibration applied to the quadriceps muscle for 5 consecutive days, at a rate of one 30-minute session per day.

Treatment:

Device: Local vibration protocol

Group "5 days and 60 min"

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will follow a protocol involving local vibration applied to the quadriceps muscle for 5 consecutive days, at a rate of one 60-minute session per day.

Treatment:

Device: Local vibration protocol

Group "4-weeks and 30 min"

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will follow a protocol involving local vibration applied to the quadriceps muscle over a period of 4 weeks, with 3 weekly sessions of 30 minutes each, for a total of 12 sessions.

Treatment:

Device: Local vibration protocol

Group "4-weeks and 60 min"

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will follow a protocol involving local vibration applied to the quadriceps muscle over a period of 4 weeks, with 3 weekly sessions of 60 minutes each, for a total of 12 sessions.

Treatment:

Device: Local vibration protocol