Teaching table tennis to young adults and older adults with and without memory problems
Compares two ways of teaching table tennis backhand to novice players, with brain monitoring.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: OPTIMAL Motor Learning in Table Tennis: A fNIRS Study
Key facts
- Where
- Taipei, TaiwanSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT07914608, who can take part
Where in Taiwan
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipei, TaiwanNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
- Trial code
- NCT07914608
- Record updated
- 3 November 2026
- Original description
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.Read full original descriptionShow less
Does the OPTIMAL Theory Enhance Motor Learning and Cognitive and Sensorimotor Area Cortical Activation? A Theoretical Mechanism Validation in Young, Older Adults, and Cognitively Impaired Older Adults Novice Table Tennis Players
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.
Exclusion: Taking medications that affect the central nervous system or blood oxygen signals, such as potent sedative-hypnotics, antiepileptic drugs, or antipsychotic medications; A history of neurological or psychiatric disorders; Any musculoskeletal system diseases that might interfere with the experiment; Over 3 years of experience in other racket sports; Unstable cardiopulmonary function rendering them unsuitable for moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.
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 Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Older adults with MCI must further meet the following diagnostic criteria for MCI:; Subjective cognitive decline: The participants themselves or their family members/primary caregivers report a decline in memory or cognitive function; Objective cognitive impairment: The education-adjusted score on the Taiwanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-T) is between 20 and 23. One point is added to the total MoCA-T score for individuals with less than 12 years of education. Considering the heterogeneity in education levels among Taiwan's older generation, if a participant has 6 or fewer years of education (elementary school or below) or is illiterate, the Chinese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Basic (MoCA-B) will be administered as a supplement. This is to reduce false-positive interference on the visuospatial and executive function subtests caused by a low educational level; Preserved activities of daily living: The score on the Compensatory Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL-C) scale ranges from 1.34 to 3.06, indicating that the participant possesses the ability to live independently and has not reached the level of dementia; In addition to the age and cognitive requirements, participants across all three groups must meet the following inclusion criteria:; Right-handed, with an Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) score > 40; Table tennis beginners who have never received professional table tennis instruction; Played table tennis less than once a month in the past year; Normal hearing and normal or corrected-to-normal vision.