How the brain controls grip strength during different tasks

Influence of Task Complexity and Sensory Feedback on Cortical Control of Grasp Force

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10927264

This study is looking at how the brain controls grip strength during different activities, and it's designed for people with tetraplegia to help improve their rehabilitation by using special electrodes to better understand how their brains work when they try to grip things.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10927264 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the brain manages grip strength when performing various tasks, from simple to complex movements. It focuses on understanding the communication between different areas of the brain that help us adjust our grip based on sensory feedback. Participants with tetraplegia will have electrodes implanted in their brains to study these dynamics through a brain-computer interface. By analyzing how the brain responds to different tasks, the research aims to improve rehabilitation strategies for individuals with motor impairments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with tetraplegia who have limited or no use of their arms and hands.

Not a fit: Patients with intact motor function or those who do not have significant motor control issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to enhanced rehabilitation techniques for patients with motor control issues, improving their ability to perform daily tasks.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding motor control through brain-computer interfaces, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.