Transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) is a newly developed non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technique from Austria \& Germany with highly promising applicability in neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinical trials have shown a beneficial effect of TPS in patients with Alzheimer\'s disease and depression. However, the mechanism of action of TPS treatment is unknown. There is a lack of controlled studies with sufficient sample size to draw reliable conclusions on the modulatory effect of TPS. The primary motor cortex is a common target when investigating the neuromodulation effect of NIBS techniques. Here, a randomized, cross-over, single-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial is proposed to probe the effects of TPS over the primary motor cortex on modulating motor response and motor behavior.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
34
A single session of TPS will be performed, applying 1000 pulses in the session (single ultrashort (3 μs) ultrasound pulses, 0.2-0.25 mJ mm-2, \~5 Hz pulse frequency)
Georg Kranz, PhD
Hong Kong, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Change in movement time in nine-hole peg test after TPS
Primary clinical outcome measure will be a change in movement time in nine-hole peg test after TPS. Less movement time is indicative of greater improvement in hand dexterity and motor function.
Time frame: Immediately after the completion of the single session TPS, 10 minutes after the single session TPS, 20 minutes after the single session TPS, 30 minutes after the single session TPS, 40 minutes after the single session TPS
Change in reaction time in Deary-Liewald reaction time task after TPS
Primary clinical outcome measure will be a change in reaction time in Deary-Liewald reaction time task after TPS. Less reaction time is indicative of greater improvement in motor function.
Time frame: Immediately after the completion of the single session TPS, 10 minutes after the single session TPS, 20 minutes after the single session TPS, 30 minutes after the single session TPS, 40 minutes after the single session TPS
The influence of motor excitability measured by resting motor threshold (RMT) on post-TPS motor performance
The RMT will be measured before the TPS, which is indicative of the motor excitability. The investigators will explore the correlation between the RMT and post-TPS motor performance measured by the nine-hole peg test; as well as explore correlation between RMT and post-TPS motor performance measured by the Deary-Liewald reaction time task.
Time frame: 30 minutes before TPS session, immediately after the completion of the single session TPS, 10 minutes after the single session TPS, 20 minutes after the single session TPS, 30 minutes after the single session TPS, 40 minutes after the single session TPS
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