Personalized EEG‑guided brain stimulation during hand‑eye coordination
State-dependent Entrainment of Intrinsic Brain Rhythms to Improve Interregional Functional Coupling.
We will try a personalized, EEG‑guided repetitive brain stimulation approach to improve hand‑eye force control in adults with upper limb sensorimotor impairment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Medical University of South Carolina Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Charleston, South Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT07249801 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a within‑subject, crossover pilot using closed‑loop repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) timed to each participant's EEG rhythms during bimanual visuomotor force tracking. The protocol compares phase‑locked rTMS targeting two key nodes of the frontoparietal network while participants perform goal‑directed eye‑hand control tasks. Stimulation pulses are delivered in a personalized, state‑based manner so they align with intrinsic neural oscillation phase during behavior. The aim is to develop methods suitable for precision neural‑circuit based rehabilitation trials.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) who are right‑hand dominant with upper extremity sensorimotor impairment affecting eye‑hand control and who can voluntarily produce and repeatedly track whole‑hand grip force are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to rTMS or MRI (for example, implanted electrically sensitive devices, a history of seizures, or other neurological/psychiatric conditions affecting cognition) or those unable to generate the required grip force are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve coordination and force control of the affected upper limb by strengthening timing and coupling in relevant brain networks.
How similar studies have performed: Prior rTMS and EEG work shows neuromodulation can change neural oscillations and behavior, but closed‑loop, phase‑locked rTMS for personalized visuomotor rehabilitation remains an early, pilot area of research.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * adult volunteers (age ≥18 years) * right-hand dominance (defined with the Edinburg Handedness Scale) * voluntary whole-hand grip force (Medical Research Council scale for muscle force ≥2) * capable of repeated grasp and release with 5% of maximum voluntary contraction (standardized with an in-house computer-based assessment involving whole-hand grip force tracking upon visual cues with a digital dynamometer). Exclusion Criteria: * presence of any MRI risk factors (such as an electrically, magnetically, mechanically activated metal or nonmetal implant including cardiac pacemaker, intracerebral vascular clips, any other electrically sensitive support system, or claustrophobia) * presence of any contraindications to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS (e.g., history of seizures or epileptic activity, currently taking medications that lower seizure thresholds) * any neurological or psychiatric disorders affecting cognitive function (e.g., established dementia) affecting the ability to understand the purpose of the study and give informed consent or ability to complete cognitive testing * substance use disorder * visual impairment that precludes completion of scanner tasks * uncontrolled hypertension despite treatment * intake of tricyclic anti-depressants * musculoskeletal disorders affecting bimanual grasp- and release * pregnancy (or suspected/possible pregnancy or plan to become pregnant in the short term). If the participant is a woman of childbearing potential, a urine pregnancy test will be performed on a standard basis. * severe aphasia affecting particularly of receptive nature (NIH Stroke Scale, NIHSS Language subsection ≥2) affecting the ability to understand the purpose of the study and give informed consent * pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Charleston, South Carolina
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, South Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kirstin-Friederike Heise, Ph.D. — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Kirstin-Friederike Heise, PhD
- Email: heisek@musc.edu
- Phone: 843-792-3435
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.