Examining Lateralized Aspects of Motor Control Using Non-invasive Neural Stimulation

NCT05947279 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: HM20025761
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Motor adaptation and generalization are believed to occur via the integration of various forms of sensory feedback for a congruent representation of the body's position in space along with estimation of inertial properties of the limb segments for accurate specification of movement. Thus, motor adaptation is often studied within curated environments incorporating a "mis-match" between different sensory systems (i.e. a visual field shift via prism googles or a visuomotor rotation via virtual reality environment) and observing how motor plans change based on this mis-match. However, these adaptations are environment-specific and show little generalization outside of their restricted experimental setup. There remains a need for motor adaptation research that demonstrates motor learning that generalizes to other environments and movement types. This work could then inform physical and occupational therapy neurorehabilitation interventions targeted at addressing motor deficits.

Conditions

Motor Adaptation and Generalization; Posterior Parietal Cortex; Cerebellum

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Initial direction error, or difference between participant's fingertip direction

  Initial direction error, or difference between participant's fingertip direction at the timepoint of peak velocity relative to a linear path to the target. As for time frame, this is a single-visit study. Initial direction error will be compared during baseline reaching and following 20 minutes of non-invasive neural stimulation.

  Completion of the study visit, approx 20 minutes

• Initial direction error variance

  Initial direction error variance across multiple trials.

  Completion of the study visit, approx 20 minutes

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Final position error

  Completion of the study visit, approx 20 min

• Final position error variance across multiple trials.

  Completion of the study visit, approx 20 min

• Deviation from linearity

  Completion of the study visit, approx 20 min

• Peak tangential velocity

  Completion of the study visit, approx 20 min

Study Arms (3)

Posterior parietal cortex group

EXPERIMENTAL

Posterior parietal cortex group, which will receive the stimulation to their left posterior parietal cortex

Behavioral: Comparing motor adaptation reaching performance

Cerebellum group

EXPERIMENTAL

Cerebellum group, which will receive stimulation to their right cerebellum,

Behavioral: Comparing motor adaptation reaching performance

Sham group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Sham group, which will have the electrode cap placed on their head but receive no stimulation

Behavioral: Comparing motor adaptation reaching performance

Interventions

Comparing motor adaptation reaching performance BEHAVIORAL

By comparing motor adaptation reaching performance between these three groups, the investigators can examine how stimulation to each specific area of the brain modulates different aspects of motor adaptation

Cerebellum group; Posterior parietal cortex group; Sham group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Right-handed as determined by the short-form Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
• Between the ages of 18 and 40

You may not qualify if:

• Mixed- or left-handed as determined by the short-form Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
• Self-reported history of any of the following:
• Seizure and/or diagnosis of epilepsy Fainting spells Concussion with loss of consciousness Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) Cochlear implants Migraines Diagnosed psychological or neurological condition Metal in the scalp
• Any previous adverse reaction to a brain stimulation technique
• Any previous adverse reaction to 3D virtual reality environments (i.e. 'cybersickness')
• Possibility of being currently pregnant (for females only)
• Current open head wound or skin condition of the scalp
• Current implanted device(s) (i.e. cardiac pacemaker)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Virginia Commonwealth University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center

Richmond, Virginia, 23219, United States

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Brooke Dexheimer, PhD, OTD, OTR/L

CONTACT

563-547-0125; dexheimerb@vcu.edu

Study Design

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

Model Details: The study will have three groups: (15 people per group) 1) posterior parietal cortex group, which will receive the stimulation to their left posterior parietal cortex, 2) cerebellum group, which will receive stimulation to their right cerebellum, and 3) sham group, which will have the electrode cap placed on their head but receive no stimulation. By comparing motor adaptation reaching performance between these three groups, the investigators can examine how stimulation to each specific area of the brain modulates different aspects of motor adaptation.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 30, 2023
• First Posted: July 17, 2023
• Study Start: April 3, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 15, 2026
• Last Updated: March 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)