rTMS Over S1 Enhance Motor Learning in Healthy People

August 25, 2025 updated by: Neuron, Spain

Comparison of Different Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Protocols for Motor Learning in Healthy People. A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of different repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation protocols for enhancing motor learning in healthy peolple.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of different repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) protocols in enhancing motor learning in healthy individuals. It focuses on two key brain areas: the primary motor cortex (M1) and the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), recognized for their roles in motor skill acquisition and execution.

Motor learning involves two distinct neural networks: the associative/premotor and sensorimotor networks. Studies suggest that the associative/premotor network predominates initially, followed by the sensorimotor network. M1 stores movement patterns, whereas S1 appears crucial for initial motor learning and movement adaptation.

rTMS, a non-invasive technique modulating neuronal excitability, has been used to improve motor function in patients with brain injuries. However, its effectiveness in healthy individuals has been variable, especially when stimulating M1 and S1. Prior research suggests that inhibitory rTMS in S1 may influence motor learning, but findings regarding its excitatory effect and comparison with M1 stimulation are mixed.

The primary hypothesis posits that excitatory rTMS in S1 will yield superior motor learning improvements compared to M1 stimulation in healthy individuals. The secondary hypothesis predicts improvements independent of the stimulated area.

The study will involve healthy participants, utilizing tests for accuracy and time. Methodology includes randomization, blind evaluation, and rTMS application based on assigned groups.

With a sample size of 35 subjects per group, data will be analyzed using parametric and non-parametric statistical tests to compare the effects of rTMS on M1 and S1 concerning motor learning in healthy subjects. Results will be considered significant with p < 0.05, and effect size will be evaluated.

This trial aims to provide clarity on the effectiveness of excitatory rTMS in specific brain areas to enhance motor learning in individuals without neurological pathologies, potentially impacting rehabilitation and motor performance.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

60

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Spain
    • Madrid
      • Madrid, Madrid, Spain, 28045
        • Neuron

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Older than 18 years old and younger than 65

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presenting any neurological pathology
  • Pain during the study
  • Any contraindications to rTMS, such as metal implants, history of epileptic seizures or taking medication that lowers the seizure threshold

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation over primary somatosensory cortex
Participants in the experimental group will receive 5 weekly sessions of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for two weeks. An excitatory stimulation over the primary somatosensory area corresponding to the dominant hand will be applied. For this purpose, the motor area will be localized and a coil will be placed 2 cm posterior to it. An isolated pulse will be applied to the motor area to ensure that the coil is not placed over the motor area using 110% of the motor resting threshold. After this, 22 trains of 10 Hz at an intensity of 90% of the motor resting threshold will be applied for 4 seconds, with a rest between series of 10 seconds (a total of 880 pulses). After the stimulation, participants will train with the Forced Response training program for a total of 500 correct repetitions and the Purdue Pegboard Test with 4 repetitions for right hand, left hand and both hands.
Device: repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation over primary somatosensory cortex
It will be applyed a magnetic field over the Somatosensory cortex of the patient that pretends to hiperexcite the membrans of the neurons inthis area to enhance motor learning
Active Comparator: repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation over primary motor cortex
Participants in the active comparator group will receive 5 weekly sessions of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for two weeks. An excitatory stimulation over the primary motor cortex corresponding to the dominant hand will be applied. For this purpose, the motor area will be localized, and an isolated pulse will be applied to the motor area to ensure that the coil is placed over the motor area using 100% of the motor resting threshold. After this, 22 trains of 10 Hz at an intensity of 90% of the motor resting threshold will be applied for 4 seconds, with a rest between series of 10 seconds (a total of 880 pulses). After the stimulation, participants will train with the Forced Response training program for a total of 500 correct repetitions and the Purdue Pegboard Test with 4 repetitions for right hand, left hand and both hands.
Device: repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation over primary motor cortex
It will be applyed a magnetic field over the primary motor cortex of the patient that pretends to hiperexcite the membrans of the neurons inthis area to enhance motor learning
Sham Comparator: Sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Participants in the sham group will receive 5 weekly sessions of sham repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for two weeks.To achieve the placebo, the localization of the area to be stimulated will be carried out but the coil will be placed in a vertical position so the current will not go through the skull and the patient will just feel the vibration, communicating to the participant that it is likely that during the stimulation process he/she will not feel anything. After the sham stimulation, participants will train with the Forced Response training program for a total of 500 correct repetitions and the Purdue Pegboard Test with 4 repetitions for right hand, left hand and both hands.
Device: sham repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
It will be applied a sham stimulation with the same protocol that pretends to create the illusion of being stimulated

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in accuracy
Time Frame: Change from Baseline to 5 days and 10 days in accuracy
Accuracy in associating one letter of the keyboard with a letter from the Phoenician alphabet presented in the screen. It will be measured by using the software PsychoPy, that has been used in other studies for measuring motor learning in an indirect way.
Change from Baseline to 5 days and 10 days in accuracy

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in reaction time speed
Time Frame: Change from Baseline to 5 days and 10 days in reaction time speed
Reaction time for responding correctly the association between one letter of the keyboard and a letter from the Phoenician alphabet presented in the screen. It will be measured by using the software PsychoPy, that has been used in other studies for measuring motor learning in an indirect way.
Change from Baseline to 5 days and 10 days in reaction time speed
Change in pegs placed in 30 seconds
Time Frame: Change from Baseline to 5 days and 10 days in days placed in 30 seconds
Number of pegs placed in a pegboard in 30 seconds will be measured. Patients will use just right hand first, after they will use just their left hand and finally with both hand at same time. This procedure will be repeated and average pegs placed in each condition will be noted. Purdue Pegboard Test will be used for measuring.
Change from Baseline to 5 days and 10 days in days placed in 30 seconds

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Neuron, Spain

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Alfredo Lerín Calvo, PhD student, Neuron, Spain

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 20, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 15, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

July 15, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 20, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 7, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

February 16, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

September 2, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 25, 2025

Last Verified

August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • ALC001NR004

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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