Effects of the Ultra-low Frequencies TENS on the Arousal Circuits

University of L'Aquila

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pupil Diameter; Arousal

Treatments: Device: UlfTens (Ultra-low-frequencies Transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06790459

University of L'Aquila

Details and patient eligibility

About

Pupil size is associated with the activity of the noradrenergic system, with an increase reflecting a higher state of arousal. Transmucosal electrical stimulation of the tongue could treat disorders related to dysfunctions of this system, and trigeminal stimulation through ULFTENS (TUD) has shown some positive effects. However, no studies have examined the effect of stimulation of the anterior mucosa of the tongue on pupil size as an indicator of arousal. The aim of this study will be to evaluate the effect of ULFTENS stimulation on pupil size in the dark.

Full description

Changes in pupil size are indicative of the activity of the noradrenergic system, with pupil dilation associated with a higher state of arousal. According to various studies, odontological ULFTENS, through trigeminal stimulation, can help rebalance this altered system with positive effects. Our goal is to harness the capabilities of ULFTENS by stimulating the dorsal lingual mucosa and evaluating its effects on pupil size in the dark. Healthy women aged between 20 and 30 will be recruited and divided into two groups: a control group and an experimental group. Participants in the control group will lie down on a bed with their eyes closed, and will then be asked to open their eyes without moving their eyelids. Pupil diameter will be measured using a pupillometer for 15 seconds. This procedure will be repeated twice. The experimental group will receive a tongue stimulator connected to the ULFTENS, which will be activated after the first measurement. The stimulation will last approximately 15 minutes, with a second measurement taken after 15 seconds. At the end of the stimulation, the final measurement will be taken. The goal is to measure the pupil diameter of both eyes at the three time points and compare the results between the two groups to assess the effect of the stimulator on arousal circuits.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 20 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• good health status and physical fitness
• female sex
• age between 20 and 30 years
• non-smoker
• no more than 3 espresso coffees per day
• no intake of stimulant or psychotropic drugs in general
• body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9

Exclusion criteria

• presence of acute and/or chronic cardiocirculatory and respiratory disorders
• metabolic and autonomic system disorders
• intake of peripheral and central nervous system excitatory or inhibiting substances
• presence of generalized anxiety and/or panic attacks, or mood disorders.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Experimental group

Experimental group

Description:

20 women of 20-30 years would be enrolled to the experimental group. They will undergone to tongue stimulation with ULFTENS device for 15 minutes. Pupils' diameter will be measure for three time points, before, during and after the tongue stimulation

Treatment:

Device: UlfTens (Ultra-low-frequencies Transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation)

Control group

No Intervention group

Description:

20 women of 20-30 years will be enrolled to the control group. Their pupils' diameter will be measure at three time points