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Effects of TENS on Pain Threshold and Brain Activities in Healthy Adults

Not Applicable
Conditions
Pressure Pain Threshold
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Electroencephalography
Interventions
Device: Sham TENS
Device: Acupuncture like TENS
Device: Conventional TENS
Registration Number
NCT05587140
Lead Sponsor
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of conventional versus acupuncture-like TENS on pain threshold, brain activities, and their relationships.

Detailed Description

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a pain modulation tool which is commonly used clinically. TENS has 2 major modes: "conventional TENS'' and "acupuncture like TENS". Conventional TENS induces a local pain modulation, whereas acupuncture like TENS induces central pain modulation mechanism. The pain threshold at treatment area and outside of area is regarded as local pain modulation and central pain modulation respectively. However, the effect of acupuncture like TENS on pain threshold was remained unclear. TENS also induces cortical activities changed in the central nervous system. Recent Electroencephalography (EEG) studies suggested that TENS induces event-related potential and power spectrum changes, however, the time and frequency bands of EEG changes and its relationship with pain threshold were still unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the effects of conventional versus acupuncture-like TENS on pain threshold, brain activities, and their relationships.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • 20~65 y adults
  • No cognitive function problem
  • Without taking any type of pain medication or substances that could affect the cognitive functions
Exclusion Criteria
  • Peripheral or central nervous system disease
  • Sensory lose
  • TENS application is contraindication
  • Cardiac pacemaker
  • Any type of pain

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Sham TENSSham TENSThe study would use sham TENS for 30 minutes
Acupuncture like TENSAcupuncture like TENSThe study would use acupuncture like TENS for 30 minutes
Conventional TENSConventional TENSThe study would use conventional TENS for 30 minutes
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
EEG power spectrum change in delta band after the interventionThe change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the intervention

Pressure pain tolerance after the interventionThe change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention

Use a pressure algometer to press on the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the pressure would stop until the feeling reach the pain intensity at 5/10.

EEG power spectrum change in beta band after the interventionThe change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the intervention

EEG power spectrum change in total gamma band after the interventionThe change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the intervention

EEG power spectrum change in alpha band after the interventionThe change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the intervention

EEG power spectrum change in low-gamma band after the interventionThe change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the intervention

EEG power spectrum change in high-gamma band after the interventionThe change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the intervention

Pressure pain threshold after the interventionThe change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention

Use a pressure algometer to press on the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the pressure would stop until the feeling changes from non-painful feeling to painful feeling.

EEG power spectrum change in theta band after the interventionThe change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
EEG power spectrum change in theta band after the 30 minutes breakThe change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break

EEG power spectrum change in alpha band after the 30 minutes breakThe change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break

Pressure pain threshold after the 30 minutes breakThe change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention

Use a pressure algometer to press on the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the pressure would stop until the feeling changes from non-painful feeling to painful feeling.

EEG power spectrum change in delta band after the 30 minutes breakThe change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break

EEG power spectrum change in beta band after the 30 minutes breakThe change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break

Pressure pain tolerance after the 30 minutes breakThe change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention

Use a pressure algometer to press on the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the pressure would stop until the feeling reach the pain intensity at 5/10.

EEG power spectrum change in high-gamma band after the 30 minutes breakThe change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break

EEG power spectrum change in low-gamma band after the 30 minutes breakThe change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break

EEG power spectrum change in total gamma band after the 30 minutes breakThe change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention

Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Yang-Ming University

🇨🇳

Taipei, Taiwan

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