Actively Recruiting
The Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Primed Self-controlled Practice on Motor Learning and Motivation
Led by National Taiwan University Hospital · Updated on 2025-09-29
72
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
N
National Taiwan University Hospital
Lead Sponsor
N
National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are exploring how combining self-controlled practice with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) pretreatment affects motivation and motor learning in healthy young adults aged 18 to 35. The study is based on the OPTIMAL theory, which suggests that allowing learners to control their practice increases motivation and learning. They are testing different types of brain stimulation to see how they interact with practice autonomy in improving motor skills. Participants are assigned to one of six groups combining types of rTMS priming—facilitatory (intermittent theta-burst stimulation, iTBS), inhibitory (continuous theta-burst stimulation, cTBS), or sham stimulation—with either self-controlled practice or yoked practice (externally controlled feedback). The interventions involve stimulating the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex before performing a joystick-based trajectory-tracking task, with feedback timing either chosen by the participant or matched to another participant. The study lasts seven days, starting with baseline testing and stimulation on Day 1, followed by practice and motivation assessments. Day 2 includes further stimulation, practice, motivation assessments, retention and transfer tests, and brain excitability measurements. On Day 7, participants return for final retention and transfer tests plus brain measurements. Main outcomes measured include motor task accuracy, motivation levels via the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, error estimation, and changes in brain excitability.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Primed Self-controlled Practice on Motor Learning
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Healthy adults aged 18-35 years
- Right-handed according to the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
- Normal or corrected vision and hearing
- Eligible for non-invasive brain stimulation with no contraindications
- Able to understand study procedures and give written informed consent in Chinese
- Willing to complete all study visits and tasks including TBS/rTMS and motor practice
- For yoked groups, able to be matched with a counterpart participant for practice parameters
You will not qualify if you...
- History of epilepsy, seizures, or unexplained fainting; family history of epilepsy in first-degree relatives
- Presence of intracranial metal or implanted medical devices, including cochlear implants, deep brain stimulators, or aneurysm clips
- Cardiac pacemaker or other implanted electronic devices
- Current or past major neurological or psychiatric disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia
- Use of medications that lower seizure threshold or affect cortical excitability, or unstable psychotropic medication regimens
- Active migraine with aura or chronic severe headaches
- Pregnancy, planning pregnancy during the study, or breastfeeding
- Substance or alcohol use disorder within past 12 months or positive drug/alcohol screen on visit days
- Sleep deprivation (less than 5 hours) before stimulation or excessive caffeine intake within 6 hours prior
- Skin conditions or open wounds at stimulation or electrode sites
- Prior extensive training on the specific motor task used
- Participation in another interventional study or brain stimulation within past 3 months
- Any condition judged by investigators as unsafe or likely to affect data reliability
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single session
Participants receive a priming intervention using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or sham stimulation over the target cortical area according to their assigned group.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 2 consecutive days
Participants engage in motor practice sessions following priming. Some participants control their own practice conditions (self-controlled), while others perform practice with externally assigned parameters (yoked practice).
2 visits (in-person)
Duration - 1 day at 1 week after practice
Participants complete retention and transfer tests to assess motor learning and motivation outcomes.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan, 100
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Min Tse Lee, bachelor
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
6
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