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Percutaneous High Frequency Alternating Current Stimulation in Healthy Volunteers With 30kHz

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Electrical Stimulation
Neuromodulation
Registration Number
NCT04884932
Lead Sponsor
University of Castilla-La Mancha
Brief Summary

High-frequency alternating currents of greater than 1 kHz applied on peripheral nerves has been used in animal studies to produce a motor nerve block. It has been evidenced that frequencies higher than 5 kHz are necessary to produce a complete peripheral nerve block in primates, whose nerve thickness is more similar to humans.

Detailed Description

The previous studies with transcutaneous and percutaneous HFAC, suggest high-frequency stimulation (10 and 20 kHz) have an inhibitory effect over muscle strength and somatosensory threshold.

However, the 30 kHz frequency has never been applied, and the hypothesis is that it can produce a greater blockage at the sensitive level and be a more comfortable application for the patient. The purpose of the present work is to determine if a greater blockage of the sensory component of the nerve occurs with this frequency and is to reduce the amount of current intensity needed using a percutaneous approach by apply two acupuncture needles near the nerve as electrodes.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
48
Inclusion Criteria
  • Healthy volunteers
  • Ability to perform all clinical tests and understand the study process, as well as obtaining informed consent.
  • Tolerance to the application of electrotherapy.
  • That they have not diagnosed any pathology.
  • They do not present a contraindication to puncture and / or the application of electric currents.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Neuromuscular disease.
  • Epilepsy.
  • Trauma, surgery or pain affecting the upper limb
  • 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

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Latency of Antidromic median sensory nerve action potentialBaseline at 0 minutes

The recording electrodes were placed on the second finger and the stimulus will be applied on the median nerve (above the elbow joint). The stimulus will consist of a train of 10 pulses (100 μs width), applied at supramaximal stimulation, presented at 1 Hz (DS7A, Digitimer Ltd). Latency will be registered with a specific software (Signal software, CED) and will be expressed in millisecond.

Amplitude of Antidromic median sensory nerve action potentialBaseline at 0 minutes

The recording electrodes were placed on the second finger and the stimulus will be applied on the median nerve (above the elbow joint). The stimulus will consist of a train of 10 pulses (100 μs width), applied at supramaximal stimulation, presented at 1 Hz (DS7A, Digitimer Ltd). Peak-to-peak amplitude (PPA) will be registered with a specific software (Signal software, CED) and will be expressed in millivolts.

Tactile ThresholdImmediately after treatment at 30 minutes

The tactile threshold will be measured with Von Frey filaments and will be expressed in millinewton

Pressure Pain ThresholdImmediately after treatment at 30 minutes

The PPT will be measured with an algometer and will be expressed in Newtons

Muscle strengthImmediately after treatment at 30 minutes

Muscle strength will be measured with a dynamometer and will be expressed in Kgs.

Latency Antidromic median sensory nerve action potentialImmediately after treatment at 30 minutes

The recording electrodes were placed on the second finger and the stimulus will be applied on the median nerve (above the elbow joint). The stimulus will consist of a train of 10 pulses (100 μs width), applied at supramaximal stimulation, presented at 1 Hz (DS7A, Digitimer Ltd). Latency will be registered with a specific software (Signal software, CED) and will be expressed in millisecond.

Amplitude Antidromic median sensory nerve action potentialImmediately after treatment at 30 minutes

The recording electrodes were placed on the second finger and the stimulus will be applied on the median nerve (above the elbow joint). The stimulus will consist of a train of 10 pulses (100 μs width), applied at supramaximal stimulation, presented at 1 Hz (DS7A, Digitimer Ltd). Peak-to-peak amplitude (PPA) will be registered with a specific software (Signal software, CED) and will be expressed in millivolts.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Baseline nerve temperatureBaseline at 0 minutes, at 15 minutes, immediately after treatment at 20 minutes, and immediately after treatment at 30 minutes

Nerve temperature will be measured using a termodoppler (Celsius degrees)

Numerical Discomfort Rate ScoreAfter the intervention at 35 minutes

the possible discomfort caused by the interventions will be assess by a numerical rate score. The NRS consists of a scale from 0 (no discomfort) to 10 (worst possible discomfort)

Numerical Pain Rate ScoreAfter the intervention at 35 minutes

The NRS consists of a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain)

Number of participants with intervention-related adverse effectsAfter the intervention at 35 minutes

The possible adverse effects caused by the interventions will be assess by a closed questionnaire, where the presence of any adverse effect would be qualified as 1 point and the negative presence of adverse effect as 0 point.

Blinding successAfter the intervention at 35 minutes

Blinding of subjects and researchers will be assessed using the Bang questionary. It will be the question after the intervention, "What type of treatment do you think you have received?" Will be asked, with 5 items: (1) "I firmly believe that I have received an experimental treatment"; (2) "I slightly believe that I have received an experimental treatment"; (3) "I strongly believe that I have received a placebo"; (4) "I slightly think I have received a placebo"; (5) "Don't know, don't answer.", Index where -1 is blinded and 1 is unblinded.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Castilla-La Mancha University

🇪🇸

Toledo, Spain

Castilla-La Mancha University
🇪🇸Toledo, Spain

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