Pain
Conditions
Keywords
Electric Stimulation Therapy, Randomized Clinical Trial, Interventional Ultrasonography, Percutaneous Electrolysis, Endogenous Pain Modulation, Pain, Conditioned Pain Modulation, Sensory Thresholds
Brief summary
Percutaneous electrolysis is a minimally invasive approach that consists in the application of a galvanic current through an acupuncture needle. Although several mechanisms and effects are attributed to percutaneous electrolysis, currently there are only a few publications that delve into this topic. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of percutaneous electrolysis on the endogenous pain modulation. Four groups of intervention will be involved: no-intervention, isolated needling procedure, low intensity percutaneous electrolysis and high intensity percutaneous electrolysis. The effects on the pain modulation system will be evaluated before and immediately after the intervention, through pressure pain thresholds, conditioned pain modulation and temporal summation.
Interventions
PROCEDUREIsolated needling procedure
The needle will be inserted into the common extensor tendon of the epicondyle (dominant elbow) for 90 seconds without galvanic current.
Once the needle is located in the common extensor tendon of the epicondyle (dominant elbow), a single impact of galvanic current will be applied with an intensity of 0.3 mA for 90 seconds.
The needle will be inserted in the target position during the same time as in the other groups (90 seconds). During the first stage of intervention the needle will be imbedded without galvanic current and when the end of the application time approaches (approximately 75 seconds) three impacts of galvanic current will be applied with an intensity of 3 mA and a duration of 3 seconds each.
Sponsors
University of Salamanca
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy asymptomatic subjects * Aged 18 to 40 years * Both genders
Exclusion criteria
* Belonephobia or fear of needles * Neurological, cardiovascular or metabolic diseases * Any pathology or process that causes pain * Cutaneous alterations * Pregnancy * Cognitive and sensitivity disorders * Fibromyalgia * Frequent or recent (24 hours before) intake of alcohol and other drugs * Have received pharmacological, physiotherapeutic or other treatment in the last week * Intake of caffeine in the two hours prior to measurement * Vigorous physical activity on the day of testing
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from baseline Conditioned Pain Modulation (evaluated by pressure algometry) immediately after the intervention | Baseline and immediately after the intervention | Assessed by algometry. Conditioning stimulus: pressure cuff on the arm. Measured at three locations (bilaterally): common extensor tendon of the epicondyle, cervical spine and tibialis anterior muscle. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from baseline Pressure Pain Thresholds immediately after the intervention | Baseline and immediately after the intervention | Assessed by algometry. Measured at three locations (bilaterally): common extensor tendon of the epicondyle, cervical spine and tibialis anterior muscle. |
| Change from baseline Temporal Summation (evaluated by VNRS) immediately after the intervention | Baseline and immediately after the intervention | Assessed by Verbal Numeric Rating Scale (11-point). Temporary stimuli: 10 consecutive pressures with the algometer at the intensity of the pressure pain threshold. Three locations (bilaterally): common extensor tendon of the epicondyle, cervical spine and tibialis anterior muscle. |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed