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NCT Number: NCT07089056

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of 16-hour short-term immobilization on the motor learning and fine motor skills of healthy adults, and to analyze whether transcranial direct current stimulation intervention can alleviate the effects of immobilization on motor learning and fine motor skills.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

  • (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;

Treatment and study plan

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.

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

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Sequence Reaction Time Task

    Time frame: Baseline; after one week

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Purdue Pegboard Test

    Time frame: Baseline; after one week

    The Purdue Pegboard (model 32020; Lafayette Instrument Co., Lafayette,Indiana) performed the tests. The nail jacks were arranged in two parallel columns, and the nail, washer, and collar were placed in the four cups at the top of the plate before the experiment began. Subjects will be prompted to begin the test by using a nail to jack first with their right hand, then with their left hand, and finally with both hands simultaneously. Each segment was 30 s in duration, and the number of nails transferred by the participant was recorded. Finally, participants will assemble a nail, a washer, a collar and a washer on top of it, starting with their right hand in 1 minute. Each of the above sections was repeated three times to obtain an average score.

  2. Reach and grasp action test

    Time frame: Baseline; after one week

    The reach and grasp test included two parts: the fine grasp test and the gross grasp test. In the fine grip test, participants will be instructed to grasp a pencil with the tips of their thumb and index finger, and in the coarse grip test, they are instructed to grasp a tennis ball with their entire hand. Participants will seat in front of a table, and the tester placed the objects on the marked points. Participants began and ended the grasp task at the same location (30cm from the marker), and all performed the same posture (index finger in contact with thumb). Participants will complete the grasp task 15 times at their own pace.

    Infrared motion capture system will be used to record 3D kinematic data during the reaching and grasping movements.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Beijing Sport University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jul 28, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 30, 2025

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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