An interventional study of OPTIMAL theory-based Instruction and Conventional Instruction (Control) in Motor Learning, Aging and Coginitive Dysfunction, sponsored by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Taiwan. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 80 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-03.
Sponsored by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
This study investigates how OPTIMAL theory influences table tennis backhand learning in young, healthy older, and mild cognitively impaired older adults. Meanwhile, we investigate the neural mechanisms of motor skill acquisition across different ages. This study utilizes functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor brain activity. Beyond immediate performance, the research focuses on Retention (sustained skill over time) and Transfer (application to novel tasks) as critical indicators of true motor learning. To ensure objective results, a double-blind design is employed, where both participants and data analysts remain blinded to group assignments during behavioral and fNIRS data processing to minimize bias.
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University is the lead sponsor of 208 studies on the registry; 60 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Healthy young adults are aged between 18 and 30 years, while healthy older adults and older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are aged between 65 and 80 years. Regarding cognitive criteria, healthy young adults and healthy older adults must score 24 or higher on the (MMSE). Older adults with MCI must further meet the following diagnostic criteria for MCI:
In addition to the age and cognitive requirements, participants across all three groups must meet the following inclusion criteria:
Exclusion criteria include:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Short tests of memory and thinking, each scored out of 30. Lower scores suggest more difficulty; criteria give a range, either to include people with memory problems or to leave them out.
MMSE and MoCA
Short tests of memory and thinking, each scored out of 30. Lower scores suggest more difficulty; criteria give a range, either to include people with memory problems or to leave them out.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
OPTIMAL theory-based instruction
Behavioral: OPTIMAL theory-based Instruction
Conventional instruction
Behavioral: Conventional Instruction (Control)
OPTIMAL theory-based instruction
Behavioral: OPTIMAL theory-based Instruction
Conventional instruction
Behavioral: Conventional Instruction (Control)
OPTIMAL theory-based instruction
Behavioral: OPTIMAL theory-based Instruction
Conventional instruction
Behavioral: Conventional Instruction (Control)
Dose: 15 blocks of practice, with each block consisting of 30 table tennis backhand strokes (Total: 450 trials). Description: The intervention integrates three components: (1) Autonomy Support (AS): Participants choose the color of the table tennis balls. (2) Enhanced Expectancy (EE): A visual illusion is used where the target is surrounded by smaller circles, making the target appear larger to boost confidence. (3) External Focus (EF): Instructions direct attention toward the target rather than limb movements.
Dose: Same as Experimental group (15 blocks x 30 trials; Total: 450 trials). Description: (1) No choice is provided (Yoked control). (2) A visual illusion is used where the target is surrounded by larger circles, making the target appear smaller. (3) Instructions focus on body mechanics, such as elbow position and swing path (Internal Focus).
Motor Performance (Accuracy Score)
Accuracy is measured with a target-centered scoring system on a 0-7 scale per ball; higher scores indicate better accuracy. 7 pts: Hit target (10 cm diameter). 6 pts: Hit zone (20 cm). 5 pts: Hit zone (30 cm). 4 pts: Hit zone (40 cm). 3 pts: Hit zone (50 cm). 2 pts: Hit opposite table surface but missed target zones. 1 pt: Ball was hit but missed the opposite table. 0 pts: Failed to hit the ball. The performance is presented by blocks. Each block contains 30 balls. The average score of each block is calculated.
Time frame: Day 1 Pre-test: before practice (3 blocks) Acquisition: during practice (15 blocks) Post-test: immediately after practice (3 blocks) Day 2 Retention test: at least 24 hours after Day 1 (3 blocks) Transfer test: at least 24 hours after Day 1 (3 blocks)
Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) Activation
Change in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) concentration (μM) in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during table tennis backhand task blocks.
Time frame: Day 1 Pre-test: before practice (3 blocks) Acquisition: during practice (15 blocks) Post-test: immediately after practice (3 blocks) Day 2 Retention test: at least 24 hours after Day 1 (3 blocks) Transfer test: at least 24 hours after Day 1 (3 blocks)
Premotor Cortex (PMC) Activation
Change in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) concentration (μM) in the bilateral premotor cortex (PMC), measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during table tennis backhand task blocks.
Time frame: Day 1 Pre-test: before practice (3 blocks) Acquisition: during practice (15 blocks) Post-test: immediately after practice (3 blocks) Day 2 Retention test: at least 24 hours after Day 1 (3 blocks) Transfer test: at least 24 hours after Day 1 (3 blocks)
Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) Activation
Change in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) concentration (μM) in the supplementary motor area (SMA), measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during table tennis backhand task blocks.
Time frame: Day 1 Pre-test: before practice (3 blocks) Acquisition: during practice (15 blocks) Post-test: immediately after practice (3 blocks) Day 2 Retention test: at least 24 hours after Day 1 (3 blocks) Transfer test: at least 24 hours after Day 1 (3 blocks)
Sensorimotor Cortex (SMC) Activation
Change in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) concentration (μM) in the sensorimotor cortex (SMC), measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during table tennis backhand task blocks.
Time frame: Day 1 Pre-test: before practice (3 blocks) Acquisition: during practice (15 blocks) Post-test: immediately after practice (3 blocks) Day 2 Retention test: at least 24 hours after Day 1 (3 blocks) Transfer test: at least 24 hours after Day 1 (3 blocks)
Self-Efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale, GSES)
Self-efficacy is measured with the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), a 10-item self-report scale. Each item is rated from 1 (not at all true) to 4 (exactly true), giving a total score of 10 to 40; higher scores indicate higher self-efficacy.
Time frame: Day 1 Immediately after Pre-test
Manipulation Check
A questionnaire verifying whether participants perceived the assigned experimental manipulations (autonomy support, enhanced expectancies, and attentional focus). It consists of 19 items rated mainly on 0-10 scales (items 10-11 on a 0-100% scale); higher scores indicate stronger agreement or greater perception of the corresponding construct.
Time frame: Day 1 After Post-test Day 2 After Transfer test
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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