Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation After Short-term Immobilization on Motor Learning and Hand Function in Healthy Young Adults

NCT07089056 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2023145H
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of short-term braking on the motor learning and fine motor skills of healthy adults, and to analyze whether transcranial direct current stimulation can alleviate the effects of braking on motor learning and fine motor skills.

Conditions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Keywords

Transcranial direct current stimulation; immobilization; motor learning

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Sequence Reaction Time Task

  The participants will sit in front of the laptop and placed their four right fingers on the four keys on the keyboard. In this task, a white circle appears above one of four horizontally arranged white squares on the computer screen with black background. Participans will be instructed to press the proper button on the response pad (buttons H, J, K, L) using the corresponding finger of the right hand (index finger for button H, middle finger for button J, ring finger for button K, and small finger for button L) when the white circle appeared at the left side, middle-left side, middle-right side, or right side of the computer screen, respectively. Each session consists of eight blocks, with each block comprising 120 trials.

  Baseline; after one week

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Purdue Pegboard Test

  Baseline; after one week

• Reach and grasp action test

  Baseline; after one week

Study Arms (3)

Immobilization and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants' right hands will be immobilized for 16 hours, and they will receive 20 minutes of transcranial direct current stimulation before the immobilization period ends.

Device: sham transcranial direct current stimulation; Procedure: immobilization

Immobilization and Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants' right hands will be immobilized for 16 hours, and they will receive 20 minutes of transcranial direct current stimulation before the immobilization period ends.

Procedure: transcranial direct current stimulation; Procedure: immobilization

Blank control group

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

transcranial direct current stimulation PROCEDURE

The intervention will be conducted using a battery-powered stimulator (TCS-E2000, Shenzhen Yingchi Technology Co., Ltd) through a pair of saline-soaked sponge electrodes (5 cm × 5 cm).The stimulation intensity will be set at 2 mA. The stimulation will last for 20 minutes, with a 10 s fade-in period at the start and a 10-s fade-out period at the end of stimulation. The anodal electrode will be placed over the primary motor cortex (M1), and the reference electrode will be positioned at the center of the forehead.

Immobilization and Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

sham transcranial direct current stimulation DEVICE

The intervention will be conducted using a battery-powered stimulator (TCS-E2000, Shenzhen Yingchi Technology Co., Ltd) through a pair of saline-soaked sponge electrodes (5 cm × 5 cm).The stimulation intensity will be set at 2 mA. The anodal electrode will be placed over the primary motor cortex (M1), and the reference electrode will be positioned at the center of the forehead for 20 minutes. However, there will be current only during the first 10 seconds and the last 10 seconds.

Immobilization and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

immobilization PROCEDURE

The researchers will use an upper limb fixation splint to fix the right upper limb of the participants, with the elbow joint flexed at 90 degrees, to ensure that all movements of the wrist, metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints, and interphalangeal joints are completely restricted. To avoid discomfort caused by the splint, soft bandages will be wrapped around the hand, and the splint will be adjusted to fit the shape of the hand. Ensure that the fingertips are visible to ensure good blood circulation. The subjects need to wear the upper limb fixation splint for 16 hours. Instruct the subjects to minimize movement and use of the right upper limb as much as possible. During the immobilization process, pay attention to checking if the participants have numbness or other discomfort, as well as whether the blood flow is good. If any adverse symptoms occur, the immobilization will be immediately terminated.

Immobilization and Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Immobilization and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• (1) age between 18 and 25 years;
• (2) normal or corrected-to-normal vision;
• (3) right-handedness.

You may not qualify if:

• (1) with history of pregnancy, cardiovascular disease, other physical impairments or illnesses;
• (2) with personal or family history of mental illness;
• (3) implanting any internal or external medical devices;

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beijing Sport University: lead

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Immobilization

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation Therapy; Therapeutics; Convulsive Therapy; Psychiatric Somatic Therapies; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Electroshock; Psychological Techniques; Investigative Techniques

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 20, 2025
• First Posted: July 28, 2025
• Study Start: July 21, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 15, 2025
• Study Completion: October 1, 2025
• Last Updated: July 30, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07