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The Effects of a Moderate Intensity Training Program Versus a High Intensity Training Program on Central Pain Processing

NCT06207422 · Status: TERMINATED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2025-09-08

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Previous studies have shown that healthy individuals who take more steps per day and who spend more time on moderate- to vigorous-intensity activities exhibit better pain inhibition and less pain facilitation. Furthermore, exercise training (i.e., exercise performed over a number of sessions) can result in reduced pain sensitivity (increased pressure pain threshold). However, the optimal exercise prescription required to achieve pain sensitivity reduction is currently unclear. The next step is to determine experimentally whether increasing physical fitness will lead to positive effects on central pain processing (i.e., pain sensitivity, pain modulation, spinal nociception). The aim of this study is to examine the effects of two exercise programs on central pain processing in healthy sedentary individuals. In case of positive effects, this would provide a rationale for the future to investigate this in chronic pain patients with impaired pain modulation.

Conditions

  • Healthy

Interventions

OTHER

Moderate intensity training program

A 10-week intervention program performed at 60-70% of the heart rate reserve. Heart rate reserve will be calculated using the Karvonen formula (target heart rate = \[(predicted maximum heart rate (= 220 - age) - resting heart rate) x %intensity\] + resting heart rate). The intervention program will consist of three exercise sessions per week, of which one guided group session at Ghent University Hospital and two sessions to be carried out at home.

OTHER

High intensity training program

A 10-week intervention program performed at ≥80% of the predicted maximum heart rate (target heart rate = predicted maximum heart rate (= 220 - age) x %intensity). The intervention program will consist of three exercise sessions per week, of which one guided group session at Ghent University Hospital and two sessions to be carried out at home.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University Ghent

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Jessica Van Oosterwijck · Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
55 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-11-27
Primary Completion
2024-08-23
Completion
2024-08-23

Countries

  • Belgium

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06207422 on ClinicalTrials.gov