Investigating How Sleep After Training Can Affect the Learning of a Motor Skill in Individuals With Brain Injury

NCT04810442 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: R-1061-19
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Studies have shown that a period of sleep, even in the form of a daytime nap, after a period of training on a motor learning task can boost subsequent performance beyond that observed after an equal amount of time spent awake and resting. This leap in performance has been referred to as "off-line" motor learning because it occurs during a period of sleep in the absence of additional practice. Motor learning is an integral part of the physical and occupational therapy that patients receive after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in which various activities of daily living may need to be relearned. Targeted motor skills may include dressing (learning how to zip up a jacket or button a shirt), using a fork and knife to eat, or using technology (tapping touch screen on a cell phone or typing on a computer). Yet the potential of sleep in the form of a strategic nap as a therapeutic tool to maximize motor learning in rehabilitation therapies has not been fully realized. In addition, a growing body of research among healthy individuals has shown evidence of changes in the brain associated with enhanced performance among those who slept following training compared with those who spent the same amount of time awake. The neural mechanisms of "off-line" motor learning have not been studied among individuals with TBI. Using functional neuroimaging and measurement of brain waves, the current study will examine the mechanisms underlying this sleep-related enhancement of motor learning among individuals with TBI and determine how brain physiology may influence the magnitude of the effect. By understanding how this treatment works and identifying the factors that modulate its effectiveness we can identify which individuals will be most likely to benefit from a nap after training to improve motor learning after TBI. This can provide a more person-centered approach to treatment delivery that can maximize the effectiveness of a simple but potent behavioral intervention.

Conditions

Traumatic Brain Injury

Keywords

functional MRI; Motor Learning; Nap; Sleep Benefits; Traumatic Brain Injury

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Tapping Task Performance Gain

  The number of correct tapping sequences across 30sec time intervals for the learning trials and post-intervention retest trials will be calculated for each participant. Tapping Task Performance Gain will be operationally defined as the mean of correct sequences within the final block of learning trials subtracted from the mean of correct sequences within the first block of retest trials. Analysis of Covariance will be performed with Tapping Task Performance Gain as the independent variable and treatment group (Nap vs. Rest) as the dependent variable. Covariates of age and learning capacity (calculated as the difference between the mean of correct sequences in the initial and final blocks of the learning trials) will be entered into the model.

  through study completion, an average of 2 years

• Bold Signal Change

  Beta weights associated with the Nap and Rest Groups.

  through study completion, an average of 2 years

• Number of Sleep Spindles

  The number of sleep spindles in the EEG output generated by the Sleep Profiler within the 45-minute nap will be counted. Pearson correlations will be used to examine the relationship between performance gains and the number of sleep spindles within the Nap group.

  through study completion, an average of 2 years

Study Arms (2)

Nap Group

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will be involved with taking a nap in between the two scanning procedures.

Other: Nap

No-Nap Group

NO INTERVENTION

This group will not be taking a nap in between the two scanning procedures, and instead will be silently watching a film for the 45 minute period.

Interventions

Nap OTHER

45-minute nap between scanning procedures

Nap Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• I am between the ages of 18-65
• I have a diagnosis of a moderate to severe Traumatic Brain Injury
• I am at least 1 year post-injury
• I am a habitual napper (I nap at least once per week) or I am able to fall asleep in a comfortable reclining chair in a dimly lit room
• I am right handed
• I can read and speak English fluently

You may not qualify if:

• I am pregnant
• I have had a prior stroke or neurological disease
• I have a history of significant psychiatric illness
• I am unable to demonstrate fine motor movements by touching each of my fingers to my thumb on the same hand
• I am taking dopaminergic medication.
• I have a significant alcohol or drug abuse history
• My vision is impaired - more than 20/60 in worst eye
• I have previous experience in playing a musical instrument
• I have been told by my doctor that it is unsafe for me to receive regular MRI
• I have non-titanium metal in my body or something in my body in which will keep me from being still in the MRI
• I have a movement disorder in which will keep me from being still in the MRI

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kessler Foundation: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kessler Foundation

East Hanover, New Jersey, 07936, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (15)

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  PMID: 28422976 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Brain Injuries, Traumatic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Injuries; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Craniocerebral Trauma; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

• Anthony Lequerica, Ph.D.

  Kessler Foundation

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Anthony Lequerica, Ph.D.

CONTACT

973-324-8454; alequerica@kesslerfoundation.org

Paige Rusnock, B.A.

CONTACT

973-324-8436; prusnock@kesslerfoundation.org

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 5, 2019
• First Posted: March 23, 2021
• Study Start: February 18, 2020
• Primary Completion: March 31, 2022
• Study Completion: March 31, 2022
• Last Updated: March 23, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)