Healthy AgingNCT05487131
Neuromodulation and Fatigue
A study testing electrical stimulation in people with Healthy Aging and Fatigue, run by University of Oklahoma at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
In this project, we aim to determine any potential effects of a weak electrical current applied to the neck or thoracic area on functional capacity and muscle activation. Healthy individuals will participate in one familiarization followed by up to 6 experimental sessions. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Aging, Fatigue
- What is being tested?
- electrical stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 3 Jun 2023to Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 50 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy individuals between 18 and 50 years old
Who cannot join
- Metal implants or joint replacement. Presence of neuromuscular disease. Skin hypersensitivity.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma, 73071
Hugo Pereira, PhD, 405-325-2773, hugomax@ou.edu
About this study
Official title: Neuromodulation and Its Effects on Muscle Activity and Fatigue
In this project, we aim to determine any potential effects of a weak electrical current applied to the neck or thoracic area on functional capacity and muscle activation. Healthy individuals will participate in one familiarization followed by up to 6 experimental sessions. Fatigability and motor function will be assessed in each test session.
Read the detailed description
This project will investigate the potential impact of an electrical current of low intensity, and applied non-invasively, on the signals that drive muscle contractions. Individuals will receive distinct types of stimulation that vary depending on the direction on the current (anodal vs cathodal) and placement of the electrodes. These conditions will be compared to a sham stimulation. The test session will be randomized in a double blind fashion, which indicates that neither participants or investigators will know the type of stimulation. Motor function and the muscle electrical activity will be quantified during each test session.
- Conditions
- Healthy Aging, Fatigue
- Being tested
- electrical stimulation
- Keywords
- Transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation, TsDCS, Fatigability
- Medical subject headings
- Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
electrical stimulationBehavioural
different types of low-intensity (comfortable) electrical stimulation will be used and applied in distinct locations
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Men | Experimental | Individuals will participate in 1 familiarization and up to 6 test sessions Receives: Behavioral: electrical stimulation |
| Women | Experimental | Individuals will participate in 1 familiarization and up to 6 test sessions Receives: Behavioral: electrical stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Force
Change in force will be evaluated with a device during each test session
Measured: Each session will take approximately 2 hours (total of 4 test sessions)
Perception of effort
Change in perceived effort will be evaluated with visual analogue scales
Measured: Each session will take approximately 2 hours (total of 4 test sessions)
Muscle activation
Electromyography will be used to quantify muscle activation
Measured: Each session will take approximately 2 hours (total of 4 test sessions)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Aug 2022
- Study start3 Jun 2023
- Primary completionSep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Healthy AgingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Oklahoma
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Hugo Pereira, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Oklahoma
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05487131
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 14921P
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Aug 2022
- Last updated
- 9 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Neuromodulation and Its Effects on Muscle Activity and Fatigue
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05487131
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 14921P
- Conditions
- Healthy Aging, Fatigue
- Keywords
- Transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation, TsDCS, Fatigability
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of OklahomaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 3 Jun 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 4 Aug 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
In this project, we aim to determine any potential effects of a weak electrical current applied to the neck or thoracic area on functional capacity and muscle activation. Healthy individuals will participate in one familiarization followed by up to 6 experimental sessions. Fatigability and motor function will be assessed in each test session.
Detailed description
This project will investigate the potential impact of an electrical current of low intensity, and applied non-invasively, on the signals that drive muscle contractions. Individuals will receive distinct types of stimulation that vary depending on the direction on the current (anodal vs cathodal) and placement of the electrodes. These conditions will be compared to a sham stimulation. The test session will be randomized in a double blind fashion, which indicates that neither participants or investigators will know the type of stimulation. Motor function and the muscle electrical activity will be quantified during each test session.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Men | Experimental | Behavioral: electrical stimulationIndividuals will participate in 1 familiarization and up to 6 test sessions |
| Women | Experimental | Behavioral: electrical stimulationIndividuals will participate in 1 familiarization and up to 6 test sessions |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Healthy individuals between 18 and 50 years old
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Metal implants or joint replacement. Presence of neuromuscular disease. Skin hypersensitivity.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| electrical stimulationdifferent types of low-intensity (comfortable) electrical stimulation will be used and applied in distinct locations | Behavioural | Men, Women |
Primary outcome
Force
Time frame: Each session will take approximately 2 hours (total of 4 test sessions)
Change in force will be evaluated with a device during each test session
Perception of effort
Time frame: Each session will take approximately 2 hours (total of 4 test sessions)
Change in perceived effort will be evaluated with visual analogue scales
Muscle activation
Time frame: Each session will take approximately 2 hours (total of 4 test sessions)
Electromyography will be used to quantify muscle activation
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Hugo Pereira, PhD principal investigator
University of Oklahoma
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing electrical stimulation in people with Healthy Aging and Fatigue, run by University of Oklahoma at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Hugo Pereira, PhD (405-325-2773, hugomax@ou.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Force (time frame: Each session will take approximately 2 hours (total of 4 test sessions)). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Apr 2026.