MedPath

Modulation of H-reflex After Application of Electric Currents in Healthy People

Not Applicable
Conditions
Spasticity
Interventions
Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation
Device: Sham stimulation
Device: 10Kilohertz (KHz)
Registration Number
NCT02718989
Lead Sponsor
University of Castilla-La Mancha
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determinate whether the application of electric currents produce changes in the excitability of alpha moto neurone. Moreover evidence whether the effect of the electric currents can change the tone of the muscle under stimulation in healthy volunteers

Detailed Description

In the last years several experimental studies have evidenced that the transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) in peripheric application can cause a decrease of spasticity and modulation of H-reflexes.

But if the application is in the central nervous system the results are different. So the purpose of this study is quantify the modulation of the excitability of alpha moto neurone when the application of the current is in the central nervous system compared with a sham group.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Participants will be volunteer healthy students of Physiotherapy, University of Castilla - La Mancha, older than 18 years.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Neuromuscular disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Trauma, surgery or pain affecting the upper limb, shoulder girdle or cervical area
  • Osteosynthesis material in the upper limb
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Pacemaker or other implanted electrical device
  • Take any drug (NSAIDs, corticosteroids, antidepressants, analgesics, antiepileptics, ...) during the study and in the previous 7 days.
  • Presence of tattoos or other external agent introduced into the treatment or assessment area.
  • Pregnancy
  • Sensitivity disturbance in lower limb

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
10 Kilohertz (KHz)Transcutaneous Electrical StimulationTranscutaneous application of 10 Kilohertz (KHz) current over the back for a 40 minutes session. The intensity of the current will increase until participants report a "strong but comfortable" sensation, just below motor threshold.
10 Kilohertz (KHz)10Kilohertz (KHz)Transcutaneous application of 10 Kilohertz (KHz) current over the back for a 40 minutes session. The intensity of the current will increase until participants report a "strong but comfortable" sensation, just below motor threshold.
Sham stimulationSham stimulationElectrodes are placed over the back for a 40 minutes in the same manner as experimental groups, but will be applied a sham electrical stimulation increasing the current intensity of an unconnected channel.
Transcutaneous Electrical StimulationTranscutaneous Electrical StimulationTranscutaneous application of TENS current over the back for a 40 minutes session. The intensity of the current will increase until participants report a "strong but comfortable" sensation, just below motor threshold. Currents parameters are frequency 100 Hz and pulse width 100 microseconds
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Post treatment H reflexImmediately after treatment at 40 min.

H-reflex data are obtained by EMG signal. The EMG electrode (SignalConditioningElectrodes v2.3, Delsys Inc., USA) is fixed on triceps surae by the SENIAM protocol (www.seniam.org). The stimulator electrode is fixed on the peroneus nerve, in the popliteal fossa.

Baseline H reflexbaseline at 0 min.

H-reflex data are obtained by EMG signal. The EMG electrode (SignalConditioningElectrodes v2.3, Delsys Inc., USA) is fixed on triceps surae by the SENIAM protocol (www.seniam.org). The stimulator electrode is fixed on the peroneus nerve, in the popliteal fossa.

During treatment H reflexDuring treatment at 33min.

H-reflex data are obtained by EMG signal. The EMG electrode (SignalConditioningElectrodes v2.3, Delsys Inc., USA) is fixed on triceps surae by the SENIAM protocol (www.seniam.org). The stimulator electrode is fixed on the peroneus nerve, in the popliteal fossa.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Muscle tone during treatmentDuring treatment at 35 min.

This outcome measure is obtained by a device named MyotonPro. It is a commercial device made to calculate myotonometrics properties of the muscle. It is a non-invasive method to calculate the muscle tone. The investigators obtained many parameters like muscle stiffness, frequency and decrement.

Baseline muscle toneBaseline at 0 min.

This outcome measure is obtained by a device named MyotonPro. It is a commercial device made to calculate myotonometrics properties of the muscle. It is a non-invasive method to calculate the muscle tone. The investigators obtained many parameters like muscle stiffness, frequency and decrement.

Muscle tone post-treatmentPost-treatment at 42min

This outcome measure is obtained by a device named MyotonPro. It is a commercial device made to calculate myotonometrics properties of the muscle. It is a non-invasive method to calculate the muscle tone. The investigators obtained many parameters like muscle stiffness, frequency and decrement.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Diego Serrano-Muñoz

🇪🇸

Talavera de la reina, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath