Neural Substrates Underlying Adaptations in Manual Dexterity of Older Adults
Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Aging Hands
In brief
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 facts
- Study ID
- NCT07011160
- Run by
- University of Colorado, Boulder
- People needed
- 72
- Starts
- 2026-04-01
- Expected to finish
- 2030-03-30
- Last updated by the study team
- 2025-06-08
Who can join
Age: 54 and older, up to 89. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Community-dwelling men and women who are 54-89 years of age and able to give fully informed consent; able to read, write, and speak English to ensure safe participation in the project; and able to arrange own transportation to Boulder campus.
You may not qualify if…
- Cognitive impairment, major psychiatric condition, or unstable depressive disorder that would influence the ability to understand the study and cooperate fully in the proposed protocols; any progressive neurological, muscular, cardiovascular, or skeletal disorder that limits participation, such as (but not limited to) (1) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, multiple system atrophy, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease, spinal muscular atrophy, spinocerebellar ataxia, or spasticity; (2) congenital, mitochondrial, or thyrotoxic myopathies, fibromyalgia, or myositis; (3) peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, or hypertension; or (4) cancer, gout, osteoarthritis with severe pain, or rheumatoid arthritis; chronic pain condition that would impair the ability to participate in the study; currently taking prescribed medication known to influence neuromuscular function, such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, and methocarbamol; function-limiting injury to the hands, arms, shoulders, neck, or legs; recent hospitalization (within the last 3 months) or enforced bedrest/sedentary state; inability to attend the evaluation and practice sessions in 2 weeks.
Where it is running
- University of Colorado Boulder — Boulder, Colorado, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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