Cervical/Thoracic Neuromodulation and Nociceptive Processing

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Nociceptive Pain
• Interventions: Device: cervical a-tsDCS; Device: thoracic a-tsDCS; Device: sham tsDCS

• Registration Number: NCT06367777
• Lead Sponsor: Université Catholique de Louvain

Brief Summary

Several studies have demonstrated that direct currents delivered through the skin at the level of the low-thoracic spinal cord can influence spinal cord function. In human volunteers, anodal low-thoracic transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) alters spinal processing of nociceptive inputs. Whether cervical tsDCS is able to do the same is less well known. In this double-blinded, sham-controlled and cross-over trial, the investigators will compare the effects on the nociceptive processing of healthy volunteers of cervical and low-thoracic tsDCS.

Detailed Description

The investigators will compare the effects on the nociceptive processing of healthy volunteers of cervical and low-thoracic tsDCS. This study will be a double-blinded, sham-controlled, cross-over trial. Each participant will undergo three experimental sessions (anodal cervical tsDCS and sham thoracic tsDCS vs. sham cervical tsDCS and anodal thoracic tsDCS vs. sham cervical tsDCS and sham thoracic tsDCS), separated by at least one week.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-04-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-04-11
• Study First Posted: 2024-04-16
• Status Verified: 2024-06
• Study Start: 2024-06-19
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-06-20
• Last Update Posted: 2024-06-21
• Primary Completion: 2024-10
• Study Completion: 2024-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 24

Inclusion Criteria

Healthy young adults

Exclusion Criteria

• Known medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, neuropathy, psychiatric disorders, seizure, migraine, pacemaker or other implanted medical devices...)
• Use of any medication (except contraception)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Anodal cervical tsDCS	cervical a-tsDCS	Participants will receive: 1. 20 minutes of 2.5 milliamperes (mA) anodal tsDCS at the cervical level. 2. 20 minutes of sham tsDCS at the low-thoracic level.
Anodal thoracic tsDCS	thoracic a-tsDCS	Participants will receive: 1. 20 minutes of sham tsDCS at the cervical level. 2. 20 minutes of 2.5 milliamperes (mA) anodal tsDCS at the low-thoracic level.
Sham tsDCS	sham tsDCS	Participants will receive: 1. 20 minutes of sham tsDCS at the cervical level. 2. 20 minutes of sham tsDCS at the low-thoracic level.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in contact-heat evoked potentials amplitude	Throughout the entire study, approximately during 6 months	N2 amplitude

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in intensity of perception to contact-heat nociceptive stimuli	Throughout the entire study, approximately during 6 months	Numerical rating scale (0-100)
Change in cutaneous blood flow	Throughout the entire study, approximately during 6 months	LDF flow (PU)
Change in skin temperature	Throughout the entire study, approximately during 6 months	Temperature (°C)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UCLouvain; 🇧🇪 Brussels, Belgium