The role of motor cortices in motor imagery

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Motor function; Mental Health - Studies of normal psychology, cognitive function and behaviour

• Registration Number: ACTRN12618001338257
• Lead Sponsor: Deakin University

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2018-08-09
• Last Update Posted: 24 November 2020

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

Young adults will have age-appropriate motor skill and will not present with a prior diagnosis of a motor related medical disorder, neurodevelopmental disorder or intellectual impairment.

OR

Adults with motor skill significantly below that expected of their age. This atypical motor skill will not be otherwise explained by a relevant diagnosed medical condition, neuro developmental disorder or intellectual disability.

Exclusion Criteria

Anyone who demonstrates a contra-indication for TMS. This includes (but is not limited to):
•History of seizure
•Previous clinical EEG where presence of seizure activity has not been excluded
•Professional driver or machine operator
•Previous brain surgery or brain injury
•Ferromagnetic metal in the head outside of the mouth
•Implanted medical device
•Serious or unstable illness or medical condition
•Current or suspected pregnancy or current lactation
•Any illicit drug use within past 7 days
•Any alcohol use in past 12 hours, or more than 3 standard drinks in past 24 hours
Recent insomnia or another form of sleep deprivation

Further, children will not be asked to participate in this project since their inclusion is not required (or necessary) for the study aims to be achieved.

People with intellectual or mental impairment and those highly dependent on medical care will be excluded since some health conditions are contraindicators of the TMS procedure that we propose to adopt in this project. These are appropriately (as per Deakin University procedures) screened for as part of the proposed screening protocol described later.

People whose primary language is not English will be disadvantaged on some of the assessment tasks which were developed, and where appropriately normed, for English speaking individuals. Accordingly, these assessments are unlikely to provide a true representation of a non-English speaking individuals' abilities and hence they will be excluded from participation.

In the case of the exclusion of pregnant women, pregnancy is a contraindication of the TMS procedures that we propose to adopt in this project.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in performance (efficiency) on a computerized measure of motor imagery (MI), the hand laterality task (HLT). The HLT involved the mental simulation of movement and is a well validated experimental measure of MI.[Post administration of active or sham cTBS during each of the three session described previously.]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in performance (efficiency) on a computerized measure of visual imagery (VI), the letter rotation task (LRT). The LRT involves the mental movement of an object and is a well-validated experimental measure of VI.[Post administration of active or sham cTBS in each of the three sessions.]