Examining Lateralized Aspects of Motor Control Using Non-invasive Neural Stimulation
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-40
SponsorVirginia Commonwealth University
About this trial
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.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Right-handed as determined by the short-form Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
Between the ages of 18 and 40
Disqualifiers
Mixed- or left-handed as determined by the short-form Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
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)
Trial design
Design model
Single group
Treatments tested in this trial
Comparing motor adaptation reaching performance
BehavioralBy 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
Treatment groups
60 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groupsGroup A: Posterior parietal cortex groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Cerebellum groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: Sham groupSham comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
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.
Time frame
Completion of the study visit, approx 20 minutes2
Initial direction error variance
Initial direction error variance across multiple trials.
Time frame
Completion of the study visit, approx 20 minutesSecondary outcomes
1
Final position error
Secondary outcome: final position error, or distance from participant's fingertip position at the conclusion of the reach to the center of the target. Similar to above, this measure will be compared during baseline and following 20 minutes of stimulation.
Time frame
Completion of the study visit, approx 20 min2
Final position error variance across multiple trials.
Final position error variance across multiple trials.
Time frame
Completion of the study visit, approx 20 min3
Deviation from linearity
Deviation from linearity, or a ratio of minimum and maximum displacement across the parallel and perpendicular planes of the reaching movement.
Time frame
Completion of the study visit, approx 20 min4
Peak tangential velocity
Peak tangential velocity, or highest tangential velocity reached during reach.
Time frame
Completion of the study visit, approx 20 minSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov