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

NCT ID: NCT07089056

Last Updated: 2025-07-30

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-07-21
• Study Completion Date: 2025-10-01

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.

Detailed Description

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.

Conditions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: QUADRUPLE

Study Groups

Immobilization and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

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.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

sham transcranial direct current stimulation

Intervention Type: 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

Intervention Type: 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

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.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

transcranial direct current stimulation

Intervention Type: 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

Intervention Type: 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.

Blank control group

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

transcranial direct current stimulation

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.

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

sham transcranial direct current stimulation

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.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

immobilization

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.

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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;

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Beijing Sport University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Other Identifiers

2023145H

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id