Neural Stimulation for Motor Adaptation

Overseen By Brooke Dexheimer, PhD, OTD, OTR/L

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University

Disqualifiers: Epilepsy, Concussion, Migraines, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: Single visit, approx 20 minutes

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests how well brain stimulation can improve motor skills, such as reaching and moving, using different types of brain stimulation. Researchers aim to determine if these improvements can be applied outside the lab to aid physical therapy for movement issues. The trial includes three groups: one with no actual stimulation (sham), one with stimulation to the posterior parietal cortex, and one with stimulation to the cerebellum. Right-handed individuals without a history of seizures, migraines, or certain other conditions might be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance physical therapy techniques.

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 might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators.

What prior data suggests that this neural stimulation technique is safe for motor adaptation?

Research shows that stimulating certain brain areas, such as the posterior parietal cortex, can influence physical action control. This method is generally safe, with no serious side effects reported. Similarly, cerebellar stimulation has shown potential benefits without causing significant issues. Studies on cerebellar stimulation found it well-tolerated, with no major side effects. Current evidence considers both treatments safe for humans, but individual experiences may vary. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how neural stimulation can enhance motor adaptation, a technique with potential to improve rehabilitation for movement disorders. Unlike traditional therapies that often rely on physical exercises or medication, this approach uses targeted electrical stimulation to specific brain areas—the posterior parietal cortex and the cerebellum—to potentially enhance the brain's natural ability to adapt and learn new motor skills. By directly engaging the brain's neural networks, this method could offer a more efficient and faster path to recovery, offering hope for those with conditions like stroke or neurological disorders that affect movement.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for motor adaptation?

This trial will compare different neural stimulation approaches to motor adaptation. Research has shown that stimulating certain brain areas can affect learning new movements. In this trial, participants in the posterior parietal cortex group will receive stimulation to the brain's back part, involved in planning movements, which can alter how the brain adjusts to new tasks, though results have been mixed. Meanwhile, participants in the cerebellum group will receive stimulation to the cerebellum, responsible for coordination and balance, which has shown more consistent results in improving the learning of new movements, especially in older adults. Overall, promising evidence suggests these brain areas help people learn and adapt to new movements. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for right-handed individuals aged between 18 and 40. It's designed to explore how the brain adapts motor control when faced with conflicting sensory information, which could help improve physical and occupational therapy methods.

Inclusion Criteria

Right-handed as determined by the short-form Edinburgh Handedness Inventory

Exclusion Criteria

Current implanted device(s) (i.e. cardiac pacemaker)

Self-reported history of fainting spells

Self-reported history of concussion with loss of consciousness

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo non-invasive neural stimulation to study motor adaptation and generalization

Single visit, approx 20 minutes

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2-4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Comparing motor adaptation reaching performance

Trial Overview The study tests how well people can adapt their reaching movements when experiencing a mismatch in sensory feedback, like wearing prism goggles or using virtual reality that alters visual input.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Posterior parietal cortex group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Posterior parietal cortex group, which will receive the stimulation to their left posterior parietal cortex

Group II: Cerebellum group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Cerebellum group, which will receive stimulation to their right cerebellum,

Group III: Sham group Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Sham group, which will have the electrode cap placed on their head but receive no stimulation

Comparing motor adaptation reaching performance is already approved in European Union, United States for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Lynparza for:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Fallopian tube cancer
• Peritoneal cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Endometrial cancer

Approved in United States as Lynparza for:

• Ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Virginia Commonwealth University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

732

Recruited

22,900,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

This review outlines a comprehensive framework for translating neural interfaces for electrical modulation of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) from design to clinical use, emphasizing the importance of following FDA guidelines for safety and efficacy.

Key steps in the translational process include quantitative human anatomy, neural modeling, acute testing, and chronic deployment, with case studies demonstrating successful applications of specific electrode designs like the spiral cuff and Flat Interface Nerve Electrode (FINE).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A translational framework for peripheral nerve stimulating electrodes: Reviewing the journey from concept to clinic. Charkhkar, H., Christie, BP., Pinault, GJ., et al.[2021]

Neural prosthetic systems, which use intracortical electrode arrays to translate brain signals into control signals for assistive devices, show promise in helping disabled patients, but face significant challenges in achieving consistent performance and sensory feedback.

Key challenges include the need for these systems to perform at able-bodied levels across various tasks and environments, maintain robustness over decades, and restore natural proprioception and somatosensation, which are crucial for effective use.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Challenges and opportunities for next-generation intracortically based neural prostheses. Gilja, V., Chestek, CA., Diester, I., et al.[2021]

A new psychometric questionnaire was developed to effectively characterize somatosensory sensations evoked by electrical stimulation in humans, showing strong reliability in a study with 13 subjects.

This questionnaire captured a greater variety of sensory descriptors compared to previous methods, enhancing the understanding of how different electrical stimulation patterns affect sensory perception, which is crucial for improving neural prostheses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A new psychometric questionnaire for reporting of somatosensory percepts. Kim, LH., McLeod, RS., Kiss, ZHT.[2019]

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can aid in motor rehabilitation for individuals with brain injuries by stimulating muscle contractions, which helps compensate for disabilities like foot drop and assists in movements such as hand opening.

NMES may also promote long-term changes in central motor pathways, enhancing intrinsic functional capacity, especially when combined with techniques like mental imagery that engage the central nervous system.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation-promoted plasticity of the human brain. Carson, RG., Buick, AR.[2021]

In a study involving nonhuman primates, adaptive decoding methods were used to enhance neuroprosthetic control, demonstrating that neuroplasticity can be effectively shaped to improve performance in changing neural environments.

The research showed that combining decoder adaptation with neuroplasticity led to better skill retention and reduced interference from natural motor functions, suggesting a promising approach for developing advanced neuroprosthetic systems.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Closed-loop decoder adaptation shapes neural plasticity for skillful neuroprosthetic control. Orsborn, AL., Moorman, HG., Overduin, SA., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 9 chronic stroke survivors, a combination of repetitive task-specific practice (RTP) with electrical stimulation and behavioral supports led to significant improvements in upper extremity function and dexterity over an 8-week period.

Participants showed marked increases in their ability to use their affected arm for daily activities, indicating that this intervention not only improved physical capabilities but also enhanced their quality of life by enabling them to perform valued tasks they had previously been unable to do.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Reps" Aren't Enough: Augmenting Functional Electrical Stimulation With Behavioral Supports Significantly Reduces Impairment in Moderately Impaired Stroke. Page, SJ., Levine, PG., Basobas, BA.[2018]

In a study involving 16 human subjects, researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation to explore how different adaptation processes in motor learning operate on varying timescales.

The findings revealed that motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) indicate a fast but short-lived adaptation process, while cortical silent periods (CSPs) are associated with a slower but more enduring adaptation, linking neural activity to motor learning theories.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Corticospinal correlates of fast and slow adaptive processes in motor learning. Sarwary, AME., Wischnewski, M., Schutter, DJLG., et al.[2019]

The study found that pretarget neural activity in the motor cortex of macaques reflects their internal model of visuomotor gain, which can predict the speed of their reaching movements, indicating that the brain prepares for movement even before a target is presented.

This internal model estimation could enhance brain-machine interfaces by compensating for errors in reach extent, suggesting potential applications for improving motor prostheses for individuals with paralysis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trial-by-Trial Motor Cortical Correlates of a Rapidly Adapting Visuomotor Internal Model. Stavisky, SD., Kao, JC., Ryu, SI., et al.[2018]

The study found that the primary motor cortex (M1) plays a significant role in behavioral adaptation during voluntary movement, particularly in adjusting motor responses after incongruent trials in a flanker task.

Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), researchers observed that increased corticospinal excitability for antagonist movements after incongruent trials correlates with improved reaction times, suggesting that M1 helps the motor system adapt to changing contexts by balancing readiness for different actions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bypassing use-dependent plasticity in the primary motor cortex to preserve adaptive behavior. Bosc, M., Bucchioni, G., Ribot, B., et al.[2021]

The DyNeuMo Mk-1 is a new, fully-implantable adaptive research stimulator designed to personalize therapy by adjusting stimulation based on circadian rhythms and patient movement, which could enhance treatment outcomes for movement disorders.

Developed with a focus on patient safety using ISO standards, the DyNeuMo Mk-1 has received emergency-device authorization from the MHRA, paving the way for first-in-human trials to test its effectiveness in real-world applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

DyNeuMo Mk-1: Design and pilot validation of an investigational motion-adaptive neurostimulator with integrated chronotherapy. Zamora, M., Toth, R., Morgante, F., et al.[2023]

The CLARA system is a groundbreaking closed-loop neuromodulation technology that uses markerless tracking to monitor and stimulate animal behavior in real-time, allowing for precise delivery of neural stimulation based on behavioral outcomes.

In experiments, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) delivered through the CLARA system significantly improved skilled reaching performance and consistency in healthy animals, highlighting its potential for enhancing motor function through neurostimulation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Closed-loop automated reaching apparatus (CLARA) for interrogating complex motor behaviors. Bowles, S., Williamson, WR., Nettles, D., et al.[2023]

Abrupt perturbations in motor tasks lead to significant changes in the excitability of the corticospinal network, as indicated by increased motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) before reaching, while gradual perturbations do not show this effect.

The study suggests that the repetition of motor commands during abrupt training is crucial for inducing plasticity in the primary motor cortex, and that the effects of adaptation persist even after a washout period, indicating a lasting change in the neural network involved.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changes in corticospinal excitability during reach adaptation in force fields. Orban de Xivry, JJ., Ahmadi-Pajouh, MA., Harran, MD., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 28 chronic stroke patients, an auditory-motor intervention using digital musical instruments significantly improved the control of paretic limb movements, as indicated by increased peak power in acceleration profiles over nine sessions.

The findings suggest that using accelerometry to measure paretic limb function can provide valuable insights into motor recovery, with improvements in movement control correlating with clinical assessments like the Fugl-Meyer - Upper Extremity test.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music-based intervention drives paretic limb acceleration into intentional movement frequencies in chronic stroke rehabilitation. Loria, T., de Grosbois, J., Haire, C., et al.[2022]

Recent advancements in neurostimulation technology enable precise, closed-loop systems that can enhance neural plasticity in motor networks, which is crucial for neural repair.

Clinical studies show that electrical stimulation can effectively promote recovery in damaged motor circuits, leading to significant improvements in motor function for users, suggesting potential for treating various motor system disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Innovations in electrical stimulation harness neural plasticity to restore motor function. Peng, X., Hickman, JL., Bowles, SG., et al.[2023]

Participants demonstrated the ability to adapt their muscle responses to unexpected force fields during reaching tasks, indicating that the nervous system can quickly adjust to disturbances.

Feedback adaptation occurred approximately 250 milliseconds after the start of the movement, suggesting that this rapid response time is a key feature of motor learning and adaptation in the nervous system.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feedback Adaptation to Unpredictable Force Fields in 250 ms. Crevecoeur, F., Mathew, J., Bastin, M., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11585488/

Potentiation of Motor Adaptation Via Cerebellar tACS Most c-tACS studies have tested 50 Hz as the effective stimulation frequency to modulate cerebellar functions [21]. This is related to the basal ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4087063/

Cerebellar direct current stimulation enhances motor learning ... We conclude that cerebellar anodal tDCS enhances motor adaptation in older individuals. Our results highlight the efficacy of the novel approach.

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-95859-1

Compared motor learning effects of motor cortical and ... The findings suggest that both M1 and cerebellar rTMS enhance motor learning in healthy older adults, with cerebellar rTMS being more effective in ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1935861X22000821

Event-related transcranial direct current stimulation ... These results show that event-related stimulation of the cerebellum selectively enhanced adaptation of stimulated CCW trials compared to CW trials, with no ...

5. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-92617-1

Effects of transcranial electrical stimulation of the ... - Nature Moreover, comprehensive studies comparing the effectiveness of stimulating different brain regions involved in postural adaptation are lacking.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6867990/

Consensus Paper: Experimental Neurostimulation of the ... While pre-clinical studies in animal models have shown that cerebellar stimulation may be beneficial in the treatment of several diseases, including dystonia ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149291820302794

Safety Considerations for Cerebellar Theta Burst Stimulation No serious adverse events have been reported for cerebellar TBS. There is no substantial evidence of a tolerable maximal-efficacy stimulation dose in humans.

8. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02507-0

Cerebellar deep brain stimulation for chronic post-stroke ... The safety and efficacy data presented reflect the maximum duration of combined DN-DBS plus rehabilitation for each participant. Outcome ...

9. clinicaltherapeutics.com clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(20)30279-4/fulltext

Safety Considerations for Cerebellar Theta Burst Stimulation Theta burst stimulation (TBS) is an efficient and powerful TMS protocol that is able to induce longer-lasting effects with shorter stimulation times compared ...

10. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.123.044892

Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation for Stroke: Primary ... This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) to the cerebellum or M1 on balance and motor recovery in ...