Goal: This study will aim to investigate the effects of different motor stimulation strategies-motor execution (ME) and action observation (AO)-on cortical excitability and typing performance in healthy individuals. Recruitment: A total of 60 healthy university students will be recruited and randomly assigned into three groups: Motor Execution group (n=20) Action Observation group (n=20) Control group (n=20) Evaluation Tools: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) using DEYMED DuoMAG XT will be used to measure Resting Motor Threshold (RMT), Motor Evoked Potential (MEP) Amplitude, and MEP Latency of the First Dorsal Interosseous (FDI) muscle. Online Typing Test will be used to assess typing speed (words per minute) and accuracy (percentage of correct characters). Intervention: The ME group will perform a 3-minute typing task. The AO group will observe a 3-minute first-person video of typing. The Control group will not receive any intervention between assessments. All participants will undergo TMS and typing assessments twice, once before and once after the intervention.
This study will be designed as a randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of motor execution (ME) and action observation (AO) on cortical excitability and fine motor performance, using typing as the target motor task. A total of 60 healthy university students will be recruited from the University of Sharjah through convenience sampling. Participants will be screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and will provide informed consent prior to enrollment. Eligible participants will then be randomly assigned into three groups (ME, AO, and Control), with stratification based on baseline typing proficiency to ensure balanced motor skill levels across groups. All participants will undergo a pre-assessment session that will include a 3-minute typing task focused on the index finger and TMS testing targeting the First Dorsal Interosseous (FDI) muscle. TMS measures will include Resting Motor Threshold (RMT), MEP Amplitude, and MEP Latency. During the intervention phase: The ME group will perform the typing task for 3 minutes. The AO group will watch a 3-minute point-of-view video of the same typing task. The Control group will receive no intervention and will simply wait between the assessments. After the intervention, participants in all groups will repeat the same typing task and TMS assessments in the post-assessment phase. Typing performance will be evaluated using an online typing platform, capturing typing speed (words per minute) and accuracy (percentage of correct characters). TMS data will be collected using the DEYMED DuoMAG XT with consistent coil placement and stimulation parameters. Five reproducible MEPs will be recorded per participant per session to ensure reliability.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
60
Participants will perform a 3-minute typing task using custom-designed text that emphasizes index finger use. This task is designed to actively engage the motor cortex and will be administered in a controlled environment using standard posture and equipment. The task aims to elicit changes in cortical excitability, which will be measured pre- and post-intervention using TMS.
Participants will observe a 3-minute first-person video of an individual typing the standardized text. The video is designed to activate mirror neuron systems through visual engagement with a familiar motor task. It will be shown once in a controlled setting, and post-assessment of cortical excitability will follow immediately after.
University of Sharjah
University City, Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Change in Resting Motor Threshold (RMT)
Resting Motor Threshold (RMT) will be measured using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) targeting the First Dorsal Interosseous (FDI) muscle. RMT is defined as the minimum stimulation intensity required to evoke a measurable motor evoked potential (MEP) of ≥50 µV in at least 5 out of 10 trials.
Time frame: Pre-intervention (Day 1) and Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention on Day 2, between 48 hours to a 3-week window)
Change in MEP Latency and Amplitude
Motor Evoked Potential (MEP) latency (in milliseconds) and amplitude (in µV) will be assessed using TMS. These measures reflect neural conduction time and the magnitude of cortical response, respectively.
Time frame: Pre-intervention (Day 1) and Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention on Day 2, between 48 hours to a 3-week window)
Change in Typing Speed (Words Per Minute)
Typing speed will be measured using a standardized online typing platform, expressed in words per minute (WPM). Participants will complete a 3-minute typing task using custom text emphasizing index finger usage.
Time frame: Pre-intervention (Day 1) and Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention on Day 2, between 48 hours to a 3-week window)
Change in Typing Accuracy
Typing accuracy will be recorded as the percentage of correctly typed characters during a 3-minute standardized typing task using an online platform.
Time frame: Pre-intervention (Day 1) and Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention on Day 2, between 48 hours to a 3-week window)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.