Mental FatigueNCT07645404
The Effect of Mental Fatigue on Upper Extremity Functional Performance
A study testing Mental Fatigue in people with Mental Fatigue, run by Izmir Bakircay University at 1 site in Belgium.
Trial summary
Mental fatigue (MF) is known to impair cognitive performance and may negatively affect physical performance. While its effects on lower-extremity functional performance have been investigated, little is known about the influence of MF on upper-extremity physical performance tests commonly used in sports and… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Mental Fatigue
- What is being tested?
- Mental Fatigue
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- 1 siteBelgium
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2026to 1 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age between 18 and 35 years
- Healthy (no neurological, cardiovascular or musculoskeletal disorders of any kind)
- Male or female
- No prior knowledge of the concept of mental fatigue
- Not currently taking medications that affect cognition or neuromuscular performance
- According to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, being physically active at a minimum level of 1500 MET-min/week
Who cannot join
- Previous major upper limb injury (last 6 months)
- Involvement in another concurrent physical or cognitive intervention study
- Use of caffeine and heavy efforts 24 hours prior each trial
- Suffering from colour vision deficiencies
- Not eating a standardized meal, the morning of each trial and the evening before each trial
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Belgium1 site
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Brussels, Pleinlaan 2, 1050
Nieka Coryn, MSc, +32 (0)2 629 2222, Nieka.Coryn@vub.be
About this study
Mental fatigue (MF) is known to impair cognitive performance and may negatively affect physical performance. While its effects on lower-extremity functional performance have been investigated, little is known about the influence of MF on upper-extremity physical performance tests commonly used in sports and rehabilitation settings. This randomized crossover study will investigate the effects of experimentally induced mental fatigue on upper-extremity physical performance in 16 healthy physically active adults. Participants will complete both a mental fatigue condition, involving a prolonged Stroop task, and a control condition consisting of watching an emotionally neutral documentary. Before and after each condition, participants will perform the Upper Quarter Y Balance Test, Reactive Upper Quarter Y Balance Test, Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test, and Seated Single-Arm Shot Put Test. Subjective mental fatigue, cognitive performance, motivation, and perceived exertion will also be assessed. The findings will improve understanding of whether mental fatigue influences upper-extremity physical performance test outcomes and may assist clinicians and researchers in interpreting these assessments in sports medicine and rehabilitation contexts.
- Conditions
- Mental Fatigue
- Being tested
- Mental Fatigue
- Keywords
- Mental Fatigue, Upper Extremity, Physical Performance, Functional Testing, Sports Medicine, Cognitive Performance, Visuomotor Reaction Time, Upper Quarter Y Balance Test
- Medical subject headings
- Mental Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mental FatigueBehavioural
Mental fatigue (MF) is a psychobiological state characterized by feelings of tiredness and/or a measurable decline in performance following prolonged or intense cognitive activity.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Fatigue Condition | Experimental | Participants in this arm completed a mental fatigue induction protocol involving a prolonged and cognitively demanding Stroop task designed to induce sustained inhibitory control and attentional effort. The task was performed for an extended duration to elicit subjective mental fatigue. Pre- and post-condition assessments of upper-extremity physical performance, cognitive performance, motivation, perceived exertion, and subjective mental fatigue were conducted. Receives: Behavioral: Mental Fatigue |
| Control condition | No intervention | Participants in this arm watched a neutral, emotionally non-arousing documentary for an equivalent duration as the mental fatigue condition. This activity was designed to minimize cognitive load and avoid inducing mental fatigue. Pre- and post-condition assessments of upper-extremity physical performance, cognitive performance, motivation, perceived exertion, and subjective mental fatigue were conducted. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Reactive Upper Quarter Y Balance Test
Measures visuomotor reaction time, reaching accuracy, and balance errors during a reactive upper quarter Y balance test performed under visual stimuli conditions.
Measured: Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (each experimental and control condition session)
Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test
Assesses upper-extremity muscular endurance and stability by counting the number of alternating hand touches performed in a 15-second push-up position task.
Measured: Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (each session)
Upper Quarter Y Balance Test
Evaluates dynamic upper-extremity reach performance and composite score based on normalized reach distances in three directions.
Measured: Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (each session)
Seated Single-Arm Shot Put Test
Measures upper-extremity explosive power based on throwing distance of a 6-lb medicine ball.
Measured: Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (each session)
Secondary outcomes (5)
Subjective Mental Fatigue
Subjective Mental Fatigue measured using the Mental Visual Analog Scale (M-VAS). The scale ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no mental fatigue and 100 indicates the highest level of mental fatigue imaginable. Higher scores indicate worse mental fatigue.
Measured: Baseline, every 5 minutes during intervention, and post-intervention (each session)
Go/No-Go Task
Assesses executive function using a computerized Go/No-Go task. Outcomes include reaction time (milliseconds) and response accuracy (percentage of correct responses, ranging from 0% to 100%). Higher accuracy indicates better executive function performance, while shorter reaction times indicate better performance.
Measured: Immediately post-intervention (each session)
Motivation State
Assesses task-related motivation using the Assessment of Motivational States in Performance Environments questionnaire. The questionnaire includes two 7-item subscales: Interest Motivation and Success Motivation. Higher scores indicate greater task engagement, interest in the task, and motivation to perform successfully.
Measured: Pre- and post-intervention (each session)
Perceived Exertion
Assesses perceived exertion using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale. Scores range from 6 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater perceived exertion.
Measured: Immediately after physical performance testing (each session)
Stroop Task Performance
Assesses cognitive performance using a computerized Stroop task. Outcomes include reaction time (milliseconds) and response accuracy (percentage of correct responses, ranging from 0% to 100%). Higher accuracy and shorter reaction times indicate better cognitive performance.
Measured: During intervention (continuous, averaged per block)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Mental FatigueStudies 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
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Izmir Bakircay University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Gürsu Sayar, Izmir Bakircay University
- Investigators
- Bart Roelands, Professor, Study director, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07645404
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 26014_MF-UEPPT
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 15 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) will be shared upon reasonable request. This includes baseline characteristics, intervention allocation, and all primary and secondary outcome measures (upper-extremity physical performance test results, cognitive performance data, subjective mental fatigue scores, motivation scores, perceived exertion ratings, and Stroop task performance data). All data will be fully anonymized to protect participant confidentiality. Additional study-related materials such as the study protocol and statistical analysis plan may also be made available. Data will be shared for non-commercial research purposes after publication of the main study results.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Mental Fatigue on Upper Extremity Functional Performance
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07645404
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 26014_MF-UEPPT
- Conditions
- Mental Fatigue
- Keywords
- Mental Fatigue, Upper Extremity, Physical Performance, Functional Testing, Sports Medicine, Cognitive Performance, Visuomotor Reaction Time, Upper Quarter Y Balance Test
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Izmir Bakircay UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 Jun 2026 (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.
Mental fatigue (MF) is known to impair cognitive performance and may negatively affect physical performance. While its effects on lower-extremity functional performance have been investigated, little is known about the influence of MF on upper-extremity physical performance tests commonly used in sports and rehabilitation settings. This randomized crossover study will investigate the effects of experimentally induced mental fatigue on upper-extremity physical performance in 16 healthy physically active adults. Participants will complete both a mental fatigue condition, involving a prolonged Stroop task, and a control condition consisting of watching an emotionally neutral documentary. Before and after each condition, participants will perform the Upper Quarter Y Balance Test, Reactive Upper Quarter Y Balance Test, Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test, and Seated Single-Arm Shot Put Test. Subjective mental fatigue, cognitive performance, motivation, and perceived exertion will also be assessed. The findings will improve understanding of whether mental fatigue influences upper-extremity physical performance test outcomes and may assist clinicians and researchers in interpreting these assessments in sports medicine and rehabilitation contexts.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Fatigue Condition | Experimental | Behavioral: Mental FatigueParticipants in this arm completed a mental fatigue induction protocol involving a prolonged and cognitively demanding Stroop task designed to induce sustained inhibitory control and attentional effort. The task was performed for an extended duration to elicit subjective mental fatigue. Pre- and post-condition assessments of upper-extremity physical performance, cognitive performance, motivation, perceived exertion, and subjective mental fatigue were conducted. |
| Control condition | No intervention | –Participants in this arm watched a neutral, emotionally non-arousing documentary for an equivalent duration as the mental fatigue condition. This activity was designed to minimize cognitive load and avoid inducing mental fatigue. Pre- and post-condition assessments of upper-extremity physical performance, cognitive performance, motivation, perceived exertion, and subjective mental fatigue were conducted. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age between 18 and 35 years
- Healthy (no neurological, cardiovascular or musculoskeletal disorders of any kind)
- Male or female
- No prior knowledge of the concept of mental fatigue
- Not currently taking medications that affect cognition or neuromuscular performance
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Previous major upper limb injury (last 6 months)
- Involvement in another concurrent physical or cognitive intervention study
- Use of caffeine and heavy efforts 24 hours prior each trial
- Suffering from colour vision deficiencies
- Not eating a standardized meal, the morning of each trial and the evening before each trial
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mental FatigueMental fatigue (MF) is a psychobiological state characterized by feelings of tiredness and/or a measurable decline in performance following prolonged or intense cognitive activity. | Behavioural | Mental Fatigue Condition |
Primary outcome
Reactive Upper Quarter Y Balance Test
Time frame: Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (each experimental and control condition session)
Measures visuomotor reaction time, reaching accuracy, and balance errors during a reactive upper quarter Y balance test performed under visual stimuli conditions.
Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test
Time frame: Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (each session)
Assesses upper-extremity muscular endurance and stability by counting the number of alternating hand touches performed in a 15-second push-up position task.
Upper Quarter Y Balance Test
Time frame: Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (each session)
Evaluates dynamic upper-extremity reach performance and composite score based on normalized reach distances in three directions.
Seated Single-Arm Shot Put Test
Time frame: Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (each session)
Measures upper-extremity explosive power based on throwing distance of a 6-lb medicine ball.
5 secondary outcomes
Subjective Mental Fatigue
Time frame: Baseline, every 5 minutes during intervention, and post-intervention (each session)
Go/No-Go Task
Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (each session)
Motivation State
Time frame: Pre- and post-intervention (each session)
Perceived Exertion
Time frame: Immediately after physical performance testing (each session)
Stroop Task Performance
Time frame: During intervention (continuous, averaged per block)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data (IPD) will be shared upon reasonable request. This includes baseline characteristics, intervention allocation, and all primary and secondary outcome measures (upper-extremity physical performance test results, cognitive performance data, subjective mental fatigue scores, motivation scores, perceived exertion ratings, and Stroop task performance data). All data will be fully anonymized to protect participant confidentiality. Additional study-related materials such as the study protocol and statistical analysis plan may also be made available. Data will be shared for non-commercial research purposes after publication of the main study results.
Related trials for Mental Fatigue
Active, not recruiting
Long COVID Brain Fog: Cognitive Rehabilitation Trial
Long COVID, Brain Fog
Not yet recruiting
A Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effects of A Supplement on Symptoms of Menopause and Overall Well-being
Menopause, Menopausal Symptoms
Recruiting
ME/CFS Brain Fog: Cognitive Rehabilitation Trial
ME/CFS, ME/CFS Following EBV-associated Infectious Mononucleosis
Enrolling by invitation
Fareon Open Label Device Clinical Trial
Cognitive Dysfunction, Acquired Brain Injury
Enrolling by invitation
PATH to Reducing Burnout Among Peers Who Deliver Overdose Prevention Services (R33 Phase Clinical Trial)
Burnout, Secondary Trauma
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.
Bart Roelands, Professor study director
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mental Fatigue in people with Mental Fatigue, run by Izmir Bakircay University at 1 site in Belgium.
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 6 inclusion and 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Jun 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 Belgium. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Nieka Coryn, MSc (+32 (0)2 629 2222, Nieka.Coryn@vub.be), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Reactive Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (time frame: Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (each experimental and control condition session)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 15 Jun 2026.