Finger Muscle Reaction After Electrical Stimuli to the Human Finger Pulley System; a Pilot Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding of mechanoreceptors in the PIP joint ligamento-muscular reflexes and their role is.

Detailed Description
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Encapsulated nerve endings called mechanoreceptors are end components of afferent nerves and have specialized end organs surrounding the nerve terminal. Those receptors are concentrated in various human periarticular tissues. It is believed that these mechanoreceptors in the periarticular tissues are related to muscle reflexes. However, it is still unknown which type of mechanoreceptors contribute to the muscle reflexes and whether the mechanoreceptors excite and/or inhibit muscle activation. In the investigators previous studies, mechanoreceptors in the human proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and surrounding structures have been extensively examined. The investigators have identified that Pacini-like nerve endings in the PIP joint were found in substantial numbers in the junction of the C1 pulley and accessory collateral ligaments. The investigators hypothesize that the Pacini-like nerve endings in the junction of the C1 pulley generate activity in the associated flexor muscle/tendon in the finger.

Official Title
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Finger Muscle Reaction After Electrical Stimuli to the Human Finger Pulley System; a Pilot Study

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Guided insertion of electrodes
* Procedure: Electromyographic (EMG) recording


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion criteria: - Females aged 20-30 Exclusion criteria: A history of any upper extremity injury or disorder in the non-dominant arm A history of any neurologic or bleeding disorder, or taking blood-thinning medication. Presence of Linbug-Comstock syndrome

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Healthy adult females<br>Females, aged 20 to 30 with no history of upper extremity injury or disorder in the non-dominant arm, no history of neurologic or bleeding disorder, and no evidence of Linburg-Comstock syndrome. | Procedure: Guided insertion of electrodes<br>* Fine-wire needle electrodes (30mm x 27gauge needle with a pairs of 0.051mm, insulated, hooked wires, Motion Lab Systems, Baton Rouge, LA) guided by sonographic evaluation of the pulley system using a Philips iU22 Ultrasound Machine (Philips Ultrasound Systems, Bothell, WA), a 17-5 MHz linear array transducer, and standard ultrasound gel.<br>Procedure: Electromyographic (EMG) recording<br>* EMG signal recording, performed with an MA 300 EMG system (Motion Lab Systems, Baton Rouge, LA).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Mechanoreceptors, PIP joint, Ligamento-muscular reflexes