tVNS During Motor Training in Older Adults

Launched by GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · Mar 15, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "tVNS During Motor Training in Older Adults," is designed to explore how a special type of nerve stimulation, applied to the outer ear, can help improve motor skills in older adults during finger training activities. The researchers want to find out if giving this stimulation after participants successfully complete a task can help them learn faster. Participants will be randomly placed in one of two groups: one group will receive the actual stimulation, while the other group will receive a fake (sham) treatment that feels similar but has no real effect.

To participate in this study, individuals must be between 65 and 84 years old, right-handed, and in good physical and mental health. Unfortunately, those with certain health conditions, such as heart disease, issues with their ears or eyes, or any history of serious head injuries or brain disorders, will not be eligible. If you join this trial, you can expect to take part in finger control training sessions and undergo tests to see how your skills improve. Please note that the trial has not started recruiting participants yet, but it aims to help improve motor learning in older adults, which could have lasting benefits for their everyday activities.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 65-84 years old across all races, genders, and ethnicities.
• • Right-handed
• • Physically and cognitively healthy
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Younger than 65 years old or older than 84 years old
• • Current or history of cardiac disease
• • Have an implanted device such as a neurostimulator or cochlear implant
• • Current or history of tympanic membrane perforation
• • Have a musculoskeletal issue that prevents hand function (e.g., arthritis)
• • Have a vision problem not corrected by glasses or contact lenses
• • Uncorrected auditory impairments
• • Had a stroke or lesion (including tumor) in the brain
• • Had a head injury or brain surgery
• • Suffer from frequent or severe headaches
• • Had a fainting spell or syncope
• • Have any metal in the head such as shrapnel, surgical clips, or fragments from welding or metal work
• • Have any implanted device such as cardiac pacemakers, medical pumps, or intracardiac lines
• • Had any brain-related conditions (i.e. multiple sclerosis, Parkinson, Alzheimer)
• • Had any illness that caused brain injury (i.e. meningitis, aneurysm, brain tumor)
• • Had any head trauma that was associated with a loss of consciousness or diagnosed as a concussion
• • Being treated for any psychiatric condition (i.e. depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia)
• • Suspected of pregnancy
• • Pregnant
• • Cognitive status issues as confirmed with the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE \<26)
• • Musculoskeletal condition or injury that would limit hand range of motion