Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation & Sinoatrial Node Function

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Electricity; Effects; Heart Arrhythmia
• Interventions: Procedure: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation

• Registration Number: NCT05966922
• Lead Sponsor: Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Brief Summary

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) is used in clinical practice to diagnose or treat a diverse range of medical conditions for over a century. Although the benefits of TES are well known, its potential side effects on the heart have not been convincingly clarified. This study will test whether TES has any effect on the sinoatrial node (SAN).

Detailed Description

It was hypothesized that: 1) TES has effects indirectly via peripheral afferents or directly on the SAN, and 2) TES causes a change in the R-R interval (HRV). The aim of this study was to test these hypotheses.

This research protocol will have three phases: first, the effect of a single electrical pulse on heart rate variability (HRV) will be examined in Experiment I. The effects of conventional TENS and acupuncture-like TENS on HRV will be also investigated in Experiment II. Finally, the effect of time and rest on the HRV will be tested in Experiment III. Subjects will be in a sitting position with 90-degree flexion at the elbow and supination of the hand during electrical stimulation. A pair of square (4 x 4 cm), self-adhesive, pre-gelled skin electrodes will be used for stimulation. The electrodes will be placed over the flexor aspect of the right forearm. Three-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recording will be obtained to determine the change of HRV during rest and electrical stimulation sessions. The participant's ECG data will be continuously captured by noninvasive sensors \[self-adhesive pre-gelled Ag/AgCl surface electromyography (sEMG) electrodes, Redline® Istanbul, Türkiye\] transmitted through a data acquisition system.

The main outcome variable is the heart rhythm. In this context, electrical stimulus-related QRS wave and RR interval change (heart rate variability) will be examined. The possible direct effect of an electrical stimulus on the appearance of the QRS wave will be investigated in the time domain using the Peristimulus time histogram and the Waveform average technique. ECG data will be analyzed using a software package (Cambridge Electronic Designs, Cambridge, UK).

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-07-13
• Study First Submitted: 2023-07-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-07-20
• Primary Completion: 2023-07-31
• Status Verified: 2023-08
• Study Completion: 2023-08-01
• Study First Posted: 2023-08-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-08-19
• Last Update Posted: 2023-08-22

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 34

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy young adult volunteer

Exclusion Criteria

• Pregnancy
• Alcohol or drug abuse,
• Any medication with potential effects on the cardiovascular system

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Electrical Stimulation	Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation	Electrical Stimulation and Sham will be delivered transcutaneously in random consecutive sessions

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Heart rate	up to 2 weeks	RR interval will be calculated
Heart rate variability	up to 2 weeks	Variability of RR interval will be calculated

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

İstanbul Physical Therapy Training and Research Hospital; 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey