Magnetic brain stimulation plus self-controlled practice to boost motor learning

The Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Primed Self-controlled Practice on Motor Learning and Motivation

This trial tests whether brief magnetic brain stimulation to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex before self-controlled practice helps healthy young adults feel more motivated and learn motor skills better.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 72 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 35 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Taipei)
• Trial ID: NCT07197346 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The study combines non-invasive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS/TBS) targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with self-controlled versus yoked motor practice to measure effects on motivation and motor learning. Healthy right-handed adults will be screened for TMS safety and randomized to receive active (intermittent or continuous TBS/rTMS) or sham stimulation and to perform either self-controlled or yoked practice. Behavioral outcomes will include measures of intrinsic motivation and motor performance across practice and retention tests. The design tests whether priming prefrontal circuitry with facilitatory stimulation amplifies the autonomy-related learning benefits predicted by the OPTIMAL theory.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are healthy, right-handed adults aged 18–35 who have normal/corrected vision and hearing, can read Chinese, and have no contraindications to noninvasive brain stimulation.

Not a fit: People outside the 18–35 age range, those with neurological or psychiatric disorders, implanted electronic or metallic cranial devices, or any TMS contraindication are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a noninvasive way to enhance motivation and speed motor skill acquisition that might inform future rehabilitation strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show DLPFC rTMS can boost motivational drive and explicit learning and separate work supports autonomy-driven learning, but combining DLPFC stimulation with self-controlled practice is a relatively novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy adults aged 18-35 years
2. Right-handed (per Edinburgh Handedness Inventory)
3. Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing
4. Eligible for non-invasive brain stimulation per safety screening (no contraindications to TMS)
5. Able to understand study procedures and provide written informed consent in Chinese
6. Willing to comply with all study visits and tasks, including TBS/rTMS and motor practice
7. For yoked pairing: able to be matched to a counterpart participant for practice parameters

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of epilepsy, seizures, or unexplained fainting; family history of epilepsy in first-degree relatives
2. Any intracranial metal or implanted medical devices (e.g., cochlear implant, deep brain stimulator, aneurysm clips); non-removable metallic objects in head/neck
3. Cardiac pacemaker or other implanted electronic devices
4. Current or past major neurological or psychiatric disorders (e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
5. Current use of medications lowering seizure threshold or affecting cortical excitability (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, bupropion, clozapine, lithium, stimulant or sedative-hypnotic abuse); or unstable psychotropic regimens
6. Active migraine with aura or chronic severe headaches
7. Pregnancy or planning pregnancy during participation; breastfeeding (if your site policy excludes)
8. Substance or alcohol use disorder within the past 12 months; positive alcohol/drug screen on visit days
9. Sleep deprivation (\<5 hours) on the day before stimulation, or excessive caffeine (\>400 mg) within 6 hours pre-stimulation
10. Dermatologic conditions or open wounds at stimulation or EMG/electrode sites
11. Prior extensive training on the specific motor task used in this study (risk of ceiling effects)
12. Concurrent participation in another interventional study or received brain stimulation (TMS/tDCS) within the past 3 months
13. Any condition that, in the investigator's judgment, makes participation unsafe or data unreliable

Where this trial is running

Taipei

• National Taiwan University Hospital — Taipei, Taiwan (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Min Tse Lee, bachelor

Conditions: rTMS Stimulation, Autonomy, Healthy Young Adults, motor learning, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, autonomy