Modulation of H-reflex After Application of Electric Currents in Healthy People

University of Castilla-La Mancha

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Spasticity

Treatments: Device: Sham stimulation; Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation; Device: 10Kilohertz (KHz)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02718989

ddsm25

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determinate whether the application of electric currents produce changes in the excitability of alpha moto neurone. Moreover evidence whether the effect of the electric currents can change the tone of the muscle under stimulation in healthy volunteers

Full description

In the last years several experimental studies have evidenced that the transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) in peripheric application can cause a decrease of spasticity and modulation of H-reflexes.

But if the application is in the central nervous system the results are different. So the purpose of this study is quantify the modulation of the excitability of alpha moto neurone when the application of the current is in the central nervous system compared with a sham group.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Participants will be volunteer healthy students of Physiotherapy, University of Castilla - La Mancha, older than 18 years.

Exclusion criteria

• Neuromuscular disease
• Epilepsy
• Trauma, surgery or pain affecting the upper limb, shoulder girdle or cervical area
• 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
• Sensitivity disturbance in lower limb

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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30 participants in 3 patient groups

10 Kilohertz (KHz)

Experimental group

Description:

Transcutaneous application of 10 Kilohertz (KHz) current over the back for a 40 minutes session. The intensity of the current will increase until participants report a "strong but comfortable" sensation, just below motor threshold.

Treatment:

Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation

Device: 10Kilohertz (KHz)

Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation

Experimental group

Description:

Transcutaneous application of TENS current over the back for a 40 minutes session. The intensity of the current will increase until participants report a "strong but comfortable" sensation, just below motor threshold. Currents parameters are frequency 100 Hz and pulse width 100 microseconds

Treatment:

Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation

Sham stimulation

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Electrodes are placed over the back for a 40 minutes in the same manner as experimental groups, but will be applied a sham electrical stimulation increasing the current intensity of an unconnected channel.

Treatment:

Device: Sham stimulation