NCT05946616

Brief Summary

Sometimes, it is necessary to re-learn a previously learned movement behavior, for example, a bad posture during the golf drive or while playing the piano. Unlearning or relearning an intensively trained behavior is particularly important if the behavior is hampering recovery, for example, in chronic pain or after a stroke. With this pilot study, the brain mechanisms that control the change of pre-existing stable memories of a motor skill will be tested with electroencephalography (EEG). Non-invasive brain stimulation will be used to modulate these brain mechanisms and test if it is possible to change the pre-existing motor memory and the learning of a new motor skill.

Trial Health

55
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
30

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable healthy

Timeline
Completed

Started Jul 2023

Longer than P75 for not_applicable healthy

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
active not recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 30, 2023

Completed
1 day until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 1, 2023

Completed
13 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 14, 2023

Completed
2.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 31, 2026

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 31, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

January 8, 2026

Status Verified

January 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

2.8 years

First QC Date

June 30, 2023

Last Update Submit

January 6, 2026

Conditions

Healthy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Behavioral: interference rate

    Change in performance precision of a previously learned sensorimotor skill

    before - after one single intervention (1 hour)

  • Neural: brain connectivity change

    Change in EEG-derived markers of brain activation and connectivity

    before - after one single intervention (1 hour)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Behavioral: interference rate

    before - after one single intervention (24 hour follow-up)

  • Neural: brain connectivity change

    before - after one single intervention (24 hour follow-up)

Study Arms (2)

Active non-invasive brain stimulation during behavioral memory interference

EXPERIMENTAL

Non-invasive brain stimulation with transcranial alternating current stimulation will be applied during a memory interference intervention.

Other: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with behavioral intervention

Sham stimulation during behavioral memory interference

SHAM COMPARATOR

Inactive (sham) stimulation will be applied during a memory interference intervention.

Other: Inactive (sham) stimulation combined with behavioral intervention

Interventions

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with behavioral interventionOTHER

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with behavioral intervention (memory interference).

Active non-invasive brain stimulation during behavioral memory interference
Inactive (sham) stimulation combined with behavioral interventionOTHER

Inactive (sham) stimulation combined with behavioral intervention (memory interference)

Sham stimulation during behavioral memory interference

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Age 18 years or older (2/3 of the final sample will be ≥60years of age)
  • No previous stroke, brain tumor, neurodegenerative disease, or trauma to the head
  • Ability to give consent for study participation
  • who have access to a personal computer with internet

You may not qualify if:

  • Pregnancy
  • Inability to use all ten fingers to type on a standard computer keyboard
  • Uncorrected vision, hindering perception of visual cues presented on a standard computer screen
  • Medication use at the time of study that may interfere with learning or the effect of tACS, including but not limited to carbamazepine, flunarizine, sulpiride, rivastigmine, dextromethorphan;
  • Neuromuscular disorders affecting hand and finger movements necessary for 10-finger keyboard typing
  • Presence of neurological or psychiatric disorders
  • Presence of scalp injury or disease
  • Prior history of seizures
  • Prior intracranial surgery
  • Prior brain radiotherapy
  • Prior history of intracranial tumor, intracranial infection, or cerebrovascular malformation
  • Metal in head or neck
  • Contraindications to MRI (such as severe claustrophobia, implanted medical devices)

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current StimulationBehavior Therapysalicylhydroxamic acid

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation TherapyTherapeuticsConvulsive TherapyPsychiatric Somatic TherapiesBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesElectroshockPsychological TechniquesPsychotherapy

Study Officials

  • Kirstin-Friederike Heise, PhD

    Medical University of South Carolina

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 30, 2023

First Posted

July 14, 2023

Study Start

July 1, 2023

Primary Completion

March 31, 2026

Study Completion

March 31, 2026

Last Updated

January 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

US(1)