Investigating the Effects of the Neuromodulation of the Cervical and the Low-thoracic Spinal Cord on Nociceptive Processing in Healthy Volunteers - an Randomized, Sham-controlled, Double-blinded Study
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Recruiting
- Enrollment
- 24
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in contact-heat evoked potentials amplitude
Study Overview
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 Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Crossover
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 40 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
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)
Arms & Interventions
Anodal cervical tsDCS
Participants will receive:
- 20 minutes of 2.5 milliamperes (mA) anodal tsDCS at the cervical level.
- 20 minutes of sham tsDCS at the low-thoracic level.
Intervention: cervical a-tsDCS (Device)
Anodal thoracic tsDCS
Participants will receive:
- 20 minutes of sham tsDCS at the cervical level.
- 20 minutes of 2.5 milliamperes (mA) anodal tsDCS at the low-thoracic level.
Intervention: thoracic a-tsDCS (Device)
Sham tsDCS
Participants will receive:
- 20 minutes of sham tsDCS at the cervical level.
- 20 minutes of sham tsDCS at the low-thoracic level.
Intervention: sham tsDCS (Device)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in contact-heat evoked potentials amplitude
Time Frame: Throughout the entire study, approximately during 6 months
N2 amplitude
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in intensity of perception to contact-heat nociceptive stimuli(Throughout the entire study, approximately during 6 months)
- Change in cutaneous blood flow(Throughout the entire study, approximately during 6 months)
- Change in skin temperature(Throughout the entire study, approximately during 6 months)