Cervical Neuromodulation and Nociceptive Processing (MICROVOLT)

Université Catholique de Louvain

Status: Completed

Conditions: Nociceptive Pain

Treatments: Device: Starstim (Neuroelectrics)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05127200

2021/02SEP/359

Details and patient eligibility

About

Several studies have demonstrated that direct currents delivered through the skin at the level of the lumbar spinal cord can influence spinal cord function. In human volunteers, anodal lumbar 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.

Full description

The investigators will compare the effects on the nociceptive processing of healthy volunteers of cervical and lumbar tsDCS. This study will be a double-blinded, sham-controlled, cross-over trial. Each participant will undergo two experimental sessions (anodal cervical tsDCS and sham lumbar tsDCS vs. sham cervical tsDCS and anodal lumbar tsDCS), separated by at least one week.

Enrollment: 24 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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24 participants in 2 patient groups

Anodal tsDCS (cervical active, lumbar sham)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive: 1. 20 minutes of 2.5 milliampere (mA) anodal tsDCS at the cervical level. 2. sham tsDCS at the lumbar level.

Treatment:

Device: Starstim (Neuroelectrics)

Anodal tsDCS (cervical sham, lumbar active)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive: 1. 20 minutes of 2.5 milliampere (mA) anodal tsDCS at the lumbar level. 2. sham tsDCS at the cervical level.

Treatment:

Device: Starstim (Neuroelectrics)