Effort Valuation for Fatigue
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to explore how the brain values effort when people experience varying levels of tiredness and motivation. It will examine how mental (cognitive fatigue) and physical tasks (physical fatigue) influence this effort valuation and how rewards can alter motivation. Right-handed individuals aged 18-35 without a history of neurological or severe psychiatric issues may be suitable participants.
As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the understanding of human motivation and fatigue.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Previous studies have shown that mental fatigue affects attention and task performance. However, these studies focus on mistakes rather than direct harm, suggesting the treatment is well-tolerated. For physical fatigue, research indicates it may negatively impact safety behavior, potentially leading to increased tiredness or reduced alertness. Again, these effects concern performance rather than harm, implying the treatment is generally safe. Studies have found that rewarding activities can reduce stress and improve motivation, suggesting they are not only safe but may also positively affect mood and resilience. Overall, these behavioral interventions appear safe, with no strong evidence of serious negative effects.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Effort Valuation for Fatigue trial because it explores innovative ways to understand and manage fatigue through behavioral interventions. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on medication, this trial investigates the effects of inducing cognitive fatigue through repeated mentally challenging tasks, physical fatigue using grip force exertion, and the impact of rewarding stimuli on motivation. This approach could reveal new insights into how effort and motivation are influenced by fatigue, potentially leading to non-drug methods to help people manage their fatigue more effectively.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for understanding effort valuation in fatigue?
Research shows that mental fatigue increases the likelihood of avoiding effortful tasks, even when rewards are significant. As mental fatigue sets in, individuals tend to exert less effort, impacting decision-making and performance. This trial will explore this through a cognitive fatigue arm, where participants repeatedly perform a cognitively demanding task.
Similarly, physical fatigue makes tasks feel more challenging than when rested, as physical exertion raises the personal cost of effort. This aspect will be studied in the physical fatigue arm, where participants will engage in a physically demanding task.
Studies also suggest that effort can enhance learning from positive outcomes. Working hard can make rewards more satisfying, though it might sometimes lead to overvaluing them. The rewarding stimuli arm of this trial will investigate how reward-induced changes in motivational state influence effort choices. These findings indicate that fatigue and effort significantly affect how tasks and rewards are valued, warranting further study in this trial.678910Who Is on the Research Team?
Vikram S. Chib, PhD
Principal Investigator
Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for right-handed individuals aged between 18 and 35, of any gender or ethnicity. It's not suitable for those who are pregnant, have metal in their head/eyes, neurological issues like stroke or epilepsy, severe claustrophobia during MRI scans, excessive tattoo heating from MRIs, or a history of severe psychiatric conditions.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Cognitive Fatigue Induction
Participants perform a cognitively demanding task repeatedly to induce cognitive fatigue
Physical Fatigue Induction
Participants perform a physically demanding task (grip force exertion task) repeatedly to induce physical fatigue
Motivational State Modulation
Participants' motivational state is modulated using reward-associated stimuli to study effort choices
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after interventions
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Cognitive Fatigue
- Physical Fatigue
- Rewarding Stimuli
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator