Effects of Acute Pain vs Context Change on Motor Learning Retention in Young Adults

NCT05626582 | Completed DMC

• 2 other identifiers: 1786370-1.3R01AG071585
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 61
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

To date, the effects of pain on motor learning have not been thoroughly investigated. When examining potential effects on retention of motor learning, it is important to dissociate any effects of pain from effects of a context change. The purpose of this research is to determine whether any altered retention of motor learning associated with acute pain is a true affect of pain or an affect of context (or both).

Conditions

Pain, Acute; Motor Activity

Keywords

acute pain; young adults; pain; motor learning; motor consolidation; gait; locomotion; walking; generalization

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Motor Retention Magnitude

  degree to which the learned locomotor pattern has been remembered (in step length percent change, normalized to the amount learned from day 1)

  24 hours post learning (day 2)

• Motor Learning Magnitude

  degree to which the new locomotor pattern has been acquired (in step length percent change)

  immediately after learning (day 1)

Study Arms (3)

Pain Stimulus - Learning Only

EXPERIMENTAL

Capsaicin combined with heat applied to intact skin

Procedure: pain delivery - learning only

Pain Stimulus - Learning and Retention

EXPERIMENTAL

Capsaicin combined with heat applied to intact skin

Procedure: pain delivery - learning and retention

No Stimulus

NO INTERVENTION

Nothing applied to skin

Interventions

pain delivery - learning only PROCEDURE

Experimental pain paradigm delivered (capsaicin cream combined with heat) that is short-term and painful but not harmful. Applied to skin just during the Day 1 learning period.

Pain Stimulus - Learning Only

pain delivery - learning and retention PROCEDURE

Experimental pain paradigm delivered (capsaicin cream combined with heat) that is short-term and painful but not harmful. Applied to skin during the Day 1 learning period and again during the Day 2 retention period.

Pain Stimulus - Learning and Retention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• years old
• Self-identifying as generally medically healthy
• Able to read, write and speak English
• Able to provide informed consent
• Willing to undergo the experimental pain or non-painful electrical stimulation, if selected

You may not qualify if:

• Resting HR \< 50 or \> 100 bpm
• Resting BP \< 90/60 or \> 140/95 mmHg
• Any history or current mental health condition, learning/developmental disability or cognitive impairment, including ADD/ADHD, severe anxiety, severe depression, autism spectrum disorder, insomnia, mild cognitive impairment, etc.
• Score on the MoCA \<23
• Score on the GAD-7 ≥ 10
• Score on the PHQ-2 ≥ 2 and score on the PHQ-9 ≥ 10
• Any current (within last 3 month) or chronic medical conditions, including any musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, endocrine, pulmonary, metabolic, psychiatric or neurological diagnosis
• Any implanted electronic medical devices (i.e., cardiac pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators, spinal cord neurostimulators)
• Any impaired sensation or weakness in either lower extremity or in the area targeted for the stimulus
• History of serious concussion or head injury, defined as a loss of consciousness for \> 5 minutes and/or requiring medical treatment, or \> 2 concussions over the lifespan
• Any history of acute or chronic problems with balance, any dizziness, or \> 1 fall in the last 12 months
• Taking 4 or more medications
• Currently or regularly using any analgesic medications, over-the-counter remedies, or any other treatment for the purposes of pain relief (i.e., baby aspirin for heart health permitted, etc.)
• Any current or chronic pain condition during the last year, located anywhere in the body
• Allergy to capsaicin or hot peppers

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Delaware: lead
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware, 19713, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Acute Pain; Motor Activity; Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Susanne M Morton, PhD

  University of Delaware

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Application of pain or no stimulus cannot be masked from participants, nor from outcomes assessors.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 13, 2022
• First Posted: November 23, 2022
• Study Start: April 11, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2024
• Study Completion: May 31, 2024
• Last Updated: July 12, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-07

Locations

US (1)