Self-controlled practice to improve motor learning and motivation in Parkinson's disease
Effects of Self-controlled Practice on Motor Learning and Motivation in People With Parkinson's Disease
This project will try whether letting people with Parkinson's choose aspects of their practice (self-controlled practice) improves motor learning and motivation compared with age-matched healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 72 (estimated) |
| Ages | 20 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | National Taiwan University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Taipei, Zhongzheng Dist.) |
| Trial ID | NCT07028515 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will recruit people with Parkinson's disease and age-matched healthy controls and pair-match them by age. Participants will complete motor tasks under self-controlled practice conditions while their task performance and motivation are tracked across sessions. The team will also record neurophysiological measures before and after practice to look for brain changes linked to learning and motivation. The design is observational with repeated behavioral and physiological measurements to understand effects and underlying mechanisms.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults with Parkinson's disease over age 20 who can follow instructions, have no recent upper-extremity surgery or injury, and do not have other neurological disorders are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with severe upper-extremity tremor, uncontrolled anxiety or depression, implanted stimulators or pacemakers, active seizures, uncontrolled migraines or tinnitus, unstable medical conditions, or those who are pregnant may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make rehabilitation more effective by boosting learning and motivation, potentially improving everyday motor function and reducing caregiver burden.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work based on the OPTIMAL theory has shown self-controlled practice helps motivation and motor learning in healthy people, but few studies have tested this approach in Parkinson's disease, so the question is relatively novel for this population.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * age above 20-year-old * able to follow instructions and the rules of the motor task * do not have surgery or injury in their upper extremities in the past 6 months Exclusion Criteria: * neurological disorders other than PD * symptoms of severe tremor in upper extremities * symptoms of anxiety and depression * deep brain stimulator or pacemaker implanted in the body * history of seizure or epilepsy * unstable medical conditions * migraines or tinnitus uncontrolled by medication * pregnant
Where this trial is running
Taipei, Zhongzheng Dist.
- School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy — Taipei, Zhongzheng Dist., Taiwan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy — National Taiwan University
- Study coordinator: Ya-Yun Lee, PhD
- Email: yayunlee@ntu.edu.tw
- Phone: +886-2-33668155
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.