Using brain stimulation to improve hand movement control

Personalizing Multifocal Transcranial Direct Stimulation Dose to Target the Motor Network in Older Adults

NA · University of Michigan · NCT06561165

This study is testing whether a personalized brain stimulation technique can help healthy people improve their hand movement control better than a standard method.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages65 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Michigan (other)
Locations1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Trial IDNCT06561165 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how non-invasive brain stimulation, specifically high-density transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS), can enhance motor function in healthy individuals. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a standard HD-tDCS intervention or a personalized, dose-controlled multifocal network-targeted HD-tDCS. The goal is to determine if personalized stimulation can lead to greater improvements in manual dexterity compared to standard methods. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) will be utilized to assess brain activity during the interventions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy, right-handed individuals with normal or corrected-to-normal vision who can provide written consent.

Not a fit: Patients who are left-handed, pregnant, or have a history of neurological disorders will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved rehabilitation techniques for enhancing motor function in various populations.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques have shown promise in improving motor function, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants should be in good health with normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity
* Right handed
* No history of neurological disorder
* English speaker
* Able to provide written consent prior to admission

Exclusion Criteria:

* Left-handed
* Participants are pregnant, suspect pregnancy or are attempting to become pregnant
* Have a pacemaker, intracardiac lines or any other medically implanted device or medicine pump
* Have cochlear hearing implants
* Taking drugs known to influence neural receptors that facilitate neuroplasticity (see protocol)
* Have non removable body piercings or have foreign objects in body
* Have metal anywhere in the head that could increase risk of serious injury (not including braces, dental fillings, etc.) (see protocol)
* Have a personal or family history of seizure/epilepsy
* Taking prescription drugs that lower the threshold for seizures
* Recent history of excessive alcohol consumption
* History of alcohol addiction/dependence
* Recent history of recreational drug use
* History of drug addiction/dependence
* Recent history of recreational drug use
* History of drug addiction/dependence
* Diagnosed with a stroke, brain hemorrhage, brain tumor, encephalitis.
* Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
* Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease
* Diagnosed with depression in the past 6 months
* Diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, manic depressive (bipolar) disorder
* Diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus or increased intra-cranial pressure
* Diabetes requiring insulin treatment
* Any serious heart disorder or liver disease

Where this trial is running

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Healthy, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, High-density transcranial direct current stimulation, manual dexterity, Non-invasive brain stimulation

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.