Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation in Healthy Subjects to Activate Central Pattern Generator

University of Castilla-La Mancha

Status: Completed

Conditions: Motor Activity

Treatments: Device: Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04241406

aamg295

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determinate whether the application of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation produce changes in the excitability of alpha moto neurone in healthy volunteers. Moreover evidence whether the effect of the electric currents can increase muscle strength.

Full description

In the last years several experimental studies have evidenced that the transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) can evoque spinal reflex activity. The activation of propioceptive afferent would then activated motoneurons innervated at the same metameric and adjacent levels. The possibility of activating neural networks with non-invasive stimulation method opens a therapeutic window for the treatment of different neurological disorders. So the purpose of this study is quantify the modulation of the excitability of alpha motor neurone when the application of the current is in the central nervous system compared with a sham group.

Enrollment: 15 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 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 lumbar área.
• 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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15 participants in 2 patient groups

transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation

Experimental group

Description:

Transcutaneous application of electrical (biphasic current, 1ms, 30Hz) stimulation over the back for a 10 minutes session.The intensity of the current will increase until motor reflex threshold. If it will not possible, intensity will be increase until participants report a "strong but comfortable" sensation. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation over back through the electrotherapy device Myomed 932. (Enraf-Nonius, Delft, Netherlands).

Treatment:

Device: Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation

sham stimulation

Experimental group

Description:

Electrodes are placed over the back for a 10 minutes in the same manner as experimental groups, but will be applied a sham electrical stimulation increasing current intensity during 30 second and decrease intensity subsequently. Sham transcutaneous electrical stimulation over back through the electrotherapy device Myomed 932. (Enraf-Nonius, Delft, Netherlands).

Treatment:

Device: Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation