Neural Substrates Underlying Adaptations in Manual Dexterity of Older Adults

Part of paid clinical trials in Boulder, Colorado.

Sponsor
University of Colorado, Boulder
Study ID
NCT07011160
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Aging Hands

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
54 Years - 89 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) — BEHAVIORAL
    Force-steadiness training will be performance either without (sham) or paired with TENS.
  • Familiarization — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants will perform 25 trials of the Grooved Pegboard Test

Study Details

Age-related declines in motor function can compromise independence and quality of life. This project examines how practice and somatosensory stimulation reshape the neural control of hand muscles in older adults, leveraging neuroplasticity to enhance dexterity. By identifying modifiable neural mechanisms that underlie improved motor performance, this research lays the groundwork for targeted, non-invasive interventions that can be translated into clinical and community settings to support healthy aging and functional independence.

Key Dates

Start date
Apr 1, 2026
Status verified
May 2025
Primary completion
Mar 30, 2030
Completion
Mar 30, 2030

Study Design

Enrollment
72 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

  • Experimental: Pegboard time
    Participants will be assigned to a group of slow or fast improvers based on the decrease in pegboard time after an initial familiarization session.
  • Experimental: Force-steadiness practice
    Participants will complete three training sessions in which they perform force-steadiness tasks either alone (sham) or paired with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). One-half of the participants in each improver group will be to each of these practice groups.

Primary Outcome Measure

Grooved Pegboard Test [ Time Frame: From enrollment until the end of the study at 2 weeks. ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of Colorado BoulderBoulderColorado80309
Roger Enoka
[email protected]
3039219325
Mélanie Henry, PhD
[email protected]
Roger Enoka, PhD (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

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University of Colorado Boulder· Boulder, CO