Unilateral M1 Anodal tDCS to Enhance Learning in a Gross Movement Videogame Task

NCT07447882 | Active Not Recruiting FDA Device

• 1 other identifier: 26132
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Virtual reality as a gaming method is being used more regularly due to its immersive environments and total body playability. A few studies have used VR paired with brain stimulation as a clinical treatment for PTSD (van't Wout-Frank et al. 2024), as well as for regaining movement and cognitive abilities following stroke (Cheng et al. 2024; Lima et al. 2024). While a clinical use for VR and brain stimulation is the ultimate goal, there have still been no basic science investigations studying the efficacy of pairing the two. This investigation will be the first in exploring the connection between VR and brain stimulation as it relates to behavioral improvements (learning the game quicker) and eventually the investigators will begin to study the exact cortical changes that facilitate the accelerated learning. The game "Beat Saber" was chosen because it requires the subjects to move their arm in a large 3-Dimensional space and gives a performance metric after each trial to measure improvement

Conditions

Motor Activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Total number of good hits

  Beat Saber is a virtual reality (VR) rhythm game where players use motion controllers to slice, with virtual sabers, colored blocks that fly toward them in time with electronic music. The total number of good hits during the post-assessment game performance will be tallied and compared to the total number of good hits from the pre-assessment game performance.

  Day 1

• Total accuracy

  Beat Saber is a virtual reality (VR) rhythm game where players use motion controllers to slice, with virtual sabers, colored blocks that fly toward them in time with electronic music. Total accuracy of the game performance during the post-assessment game will be tallied and compared to the total number of good hits from the pre-assessment game performance.

  Day 1

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Total number of good hits

  Day 2

• Total accuracy

  Day 2

Study Arms (2)

tDCS

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive 20 minutes of continuous brain stimulation to M1. Stimulation will begin with a 30 second ramp up to 1mA and will include a 30 second ramp down at the end of the 20 minute period.

Device: tDCS

SHAM

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants receive no continuous stimulation. The sham condition will be simulated by incorporating a 30 second ramp up to 1mA followed by an immediate shut-off.

Device: tDCS

Interventions

tDCS DEVICE

Soterix 1X1 tDCS stimulation device

SHAM; tDCS

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• · Healthy adults between the ages 18-45
• Answer 'no' to questions 2 through 18 on the tDCS checklist as these factors can increase likelihood of adverse events with tDCS (Appendix 1)
• No neurological damage, disease, or dysfunction (nerve damage, chronic pain disorders, diabetic neuropathy) that affect the upper limbs.
• No significant acute or chronic medical, neurologic, or illness in the patient that, in the judgment of the Principal Investigator, could compromise subject safety, limit the ability to complete the study, and/or compromise the objectives of the study

You may not qualify if:

• · Currently prescribed and taking stimulant medication (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, etc.)
• Consumption of over-the-counter stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine (coffee, soda, supplements, energy drinks, tobacco products, or other nicotine containing products such as gum, vape pens, etc...) 12 hours prior to entering the lab on the day of testing as this can directly affect cortical excitability. If a subject takes any of these substances 12 hours prior to session 1 they will be asked to reschedule for a later date.
• Have played the game Beat Saber on a Virtual Reality Headset in the last 12 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Indiana University: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institute for Fitness and Sport

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• zachary riley

  Indiana University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Sham stimulation with a ramp up of stimulation and then it is cut off so that the subject is unaware of the group
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor Kinesiology

Model Details: Two groups- interventional (brain stimulation) and sham (no stimulation)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 26, 2026
• First Posted: March 4, 2026
• Study Start: April 23, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 23, 2026
• Study Completion: April 23, 2026
• Last Updated: March 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)