Motor Adaptation by Error Augmentation Force Field in Healthy Peoples' Upper Extremity

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Healthy Volunteers
• Interventions: Other: Error enhancement; Other: Control group

• Registration Number: NCT02780817
• Lead Sponsor: University of Haifa

Brief Summary

Inducing a systematic perturbation forces on the hand during arm reaching movement may improve adaptation. Error-augmentation (EA) training is relatively new concept in motor learning intended to promote the adaptation process. In this study participants will practice one session of training on 3D robotic device. Healthy volunteers will be randomly divided into two groups: study and control. The study group will carry out the training session with EA forces. The control group will carry out the same procedure with null force field. Outcome measure are the average size of trajectory error from the straight line and level of exertion (borg scale).

Detailed Description

A single process involved in motor learning is adaptation. Hand reaching movement has been extensively used to evaluate the concept of motor adaptation. By inducing a systematic perturbation on the hand, it is possible to examine the implicit motor response on the trajectory of the hand. Error-augmentation (EA) training is relatively new concept in motor learning intended to promote the adaptation process. Applying these perturbating forces on the hand shift the hand trajectory form the straight line to a curve like shape. Making repetitive movement under the same conditions will results in a gradual correction of this faulty movement trajectory toward the straight line, e.g. motor adaptation.

Participants: Healthy volunteers, aged 20-50, males and females. The participants will be randomly assigned into two groups: study or control group.

Procedure: One practice session of 25 minutes on 3D robotic device. The study group will carry out the session with EA forces. The control group will carry out the same training without the EA forces.

Outcome Measures: Size of trajectory error from the straight line, level of exertion.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2015-12
• Study First Submitted: 2016-02-28
• Status Verified: 2016-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-05-18
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-05-18
• Study First Posted: 2016-05-24
• Last Update Posted: 2016-05-24
• Primary Completion: 2017-05
• Study Completion: 2017-05

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy

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Exclusion Criteria

• Neurologic disease, orthopedic syndrome of the dominant upper extremity.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Error enhancement	Error enhancement	Arm reaching rehabilitation training with error-augmentation perturbation forces. One session of about 25 minutes of practicing arm reaching movements on 3D robotic device.
Control group	Control group	Arm reaching rehabilitation training without error-augmentation perturbation forces. One session of about 25 minutes of practicing arm reaching movements on 3D robotic device.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in average movement error from baseline	At baseline, before the beginning of the training session, and at followup measurement immediately at the the end of the training session, which is about 45 minutes after the first evaluation.	Average size of trajectory error form the straight line while making arm reaching movement

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Borg scale score from baseline	At baseline, before the beginning of the training session, and at followup measurement immediately at the end of the training session, which is about 45 minutes after the first evaluation.	A 6-20 scale that intended describe the subjective level of exertion of the participant.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Haifa; 🇮🇱 Haifa, Israel