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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04577768

The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Motor Performance in Healthy Adults

to investigate the effect of stimulation intensity on motor performance in healthy adults.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

20 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ariel University

Ariel, Israel

About this study

60 healthy subjects were randomly allocated to one of three groups: (a) 20-min of High-Definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) with an intensity of 2 mA (HD-tDCS 2 mA); (2) 20-min of HD-tDCS with an intensity of 1.5 mA (HD-tDCS 1.5 mA); and (3) 20-min of sham HD-tDCS (HD-tDCS sham). The stimulation was administered noninvasively using an M x N 9-channel high definition transcranial electrical current stimulator from Soterix Medical (New York, NY). The anodal stimulation targeted the right Brodmann area 4 (primary motor cortex) based on HD-Targets brain modelling software (Soterix Medical, New York, NY).

Tests: The non-dominant left arm was tested. The subjects performed a sequential point-to-point movement task on the graphics tablet. Initially, the participants were required to perform 3 sequences without errors to familiarize themselves with the setup, the task and the sequence. Then, they performed the pre-test which consisted of two blocks of 6 sequences, i.e. 12 sequences, with a 30 s break between blocks. Two min after starting the appropriate stimulation, they performed 2 blocks of 6 sequences (identical to the pre-test). After finishing the tDCS stimulation, the participants performed a post-test, which was also identical to the pre-test. The participants returned after 24 hours to perform a retention test, which was equivalent to the pre- and post-tests. Two outcome measures were used: movement time (s) and the reaction time (s) of the reaching movements.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • aged between 20 and 35
  • right-hand dominant
  • healthy according to self report

Exclusion criteria

  • taking psychiatric medications
  • a history of drug abuse or dependence
  • psychiatric or neurological disorder
  • a history of seizures
  • metal implants in their head
  • musculoskeletal deficits interfering with task performance (proper reaching performance in sitting)

Treatment and study plan

HD-tDCS 2 mA

Device

anodal high definition transcranial direct current stimulation of the right primary motor cortex with an intensity of 2 mA

HD-tDCS 1.5 mA

Device

anodal high definition transcranial direct current stimulation of the right primary motor cortex with an intensity of 1.5 mA

HD-tDCS sham

Device

sham stimulation of the right primary motor cortex

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in movement time (s) from baseline to intervention

    Time frame: Baseline (immediately before stimulation), two minutes after starting the stimulation

    Time from movement onset (first time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity) until the end of the movement (the last time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity). Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter movement time.

  2. Change in movement time (s) from baseline to posttest

    Time frame: Baseline (immediately before stimulation), immediately post stimulation

    Time from movement onset (first time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity) until the end of the movement (the last time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity). Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter movement time.

  3. Change in movement time (s) from baseline to retention test

    Time frame: Baseline (immediately before stimulation), 24 hours following the stimulation

    Time from movement onset (first time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity) until the end of the movement (the last time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity). Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter movement time.

  4. Change in movement time (s) from intervention to posttest

    Time frame: Two minutes after starting the stimulation, immediately post stimulation

    Time from movement onset (first time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity) until the end of the movement (the last time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity). Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter movement time.

  5. Change in movement time (s) from intervention to retention test

    Time frame: Two minutes after starting the stimulation, 24 hours following the stimulation

    Time from movement onset (first time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity) until the end of the movement (the last time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity). Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter movement time.

  6. Change in movement time (s) from posttest to retention test

    Time frame: immediately post stimulation, 24 hours following the stimulation

    Time from movement onset (first time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity) until the end of the movement (the last time the tangential velocity was greater than 5% of the peak tangential velocity). Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter movement time.

  7. Change in reaction time (s) from baseline to intervention

    Time frame: Baseline (immediately before stimulation), two minutes after starting the stimulation

    Time between when the target appeared in green (changed color from white to green), and movement onset. Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter reaction time.

  8. Change in reaction time (s) from baseline to posttest

    Time frame: Baseline (immediately before stimulation), immediately post stimulation

    Time between when the target appeared in green (changed color from white to green), and movement onset. Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter reaction time.

  9. Change in reaction time (s) from baseline to retention test

    Time frame: Baseline (immediately before stimulation), 24 hours following the stimulation

    Time between when the target appeared in green (changed color from white to green), and movement onset. Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter reaction time.

  10. Change in reaction time (s) from intervention to posttest

    Time frame: Two minutes after starting the stimulation, immediately post stimulation

    Time between when the target appeared in green (changed color from white to green), and movement onset. Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter reaction time.

  11. Change in reaction time (s) from intervention to retention test

    Time frame: Two minutes after starting the stimulation, 24 hours following the stimulation

    Time between when the target appeared in green (changed color from white to green), and movement onset. Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter reaction time.

  12. Change in reaction time (s) from posttest to retention test

    Time frame: immediately post stimulation, 24 hours following the stimulation

    Time between when the target appeared in green (changed color from white to green), and movement onset. Improved motor performance was indicated by a shorter reaction time.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ariel University

Other

Collaborators

  • Tel Aviv University

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Intensity on Motor Performance in Healthy Adults

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Oct 8, 2020
Registry last updated
Oct 8, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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