Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Electroencephalography, Pressure Pain Threshold
Conditions
Keywords
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, Electroencephalography, Pressure pain threshold, Pressure pain tolerance
Brief summary
The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of conventional versus acupuncture-like TENS on pain threshold, brain activities, and their relationships.
Detailed description
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a pain modulation tool which is commonly used clinically. TENS has 2 major modes: conventional TENS'' and acupuncture like TENS. Conventional TENS induces a local pain modulation, whereas acupuncture like TENS induces central pain modulation mechanism. The pain threshold at treatment area and outside of area is regarded as local pain modulation and central pain modulation respectively. However, the effect of acupuncture like TENS on pain threshold was remained unclear. TENS also induces cortical activities changed in the central nervous system. Recent Electroencephalography (EEG) studies suggested that TENS induces event-related potential and power spectrum changes, however, the time and frequency bands of EEG changes and its relationship with pain threshold were still unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the effects of conventional versus acupuncture-like TENS on pain threshold, brain activities, and their relationships.
Interventions
DEVICEAcupuncture like TENS
Frequency: 4 Hz, pulse duration: 200 μs, intensity: 3/10 painful sensation with muscle contraction , time: 30 minutes
DEVICEConventional TENS
Frequency: 100 Hz, pulse duration: 200 μs, intensity: strong but comfortable tingling sensation , time: 30 minutes
DEVICESham TENS
Frequency: 4 Hz, pulse duration: 200 μs, intensity: tingling sensation, time: turn on the electricity for 15 seconds, then turn off the machine for 30 minutes
Sponsors
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 20\ 65 y adults * No cognitive function problem * Without taking any type of pain medication or substances that could affect the cognitive functions
Exclusion criteria
* Peripheral or central nervous system disease * Sensory lose * TENS application is contraindication * Cardiac pacemaker * Any type of pain
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| EEG power spectrum change in total gamma band after the intervention | The change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the intervention |
| Pressure pain tolerance after the intervention | The change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention | Use a pressure algometer to press on the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the pressure would stop until the feeling reach the pain intensity at 5/10. |
| EEG power spectrum change in delta band after the intervention | The change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the intervention |
| Pressure pain threshold after the intervention | The change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention | Use a pressure algometer to press on the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the pressure would stop until the feeling changes from non-painful feeling to painful feeling. |
| EEG power spectrum change in theta band after the intervention | The change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the intervention |
| EEG power spectrum change in alpha band after the intervention | The change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the intervention |
| EEG power spectrum change in beta band after the intervention | The change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the intervention |
| EEG power spectrum change in low-gamma band after the intervention | The change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the intervention |
| EEG power spectrum change in high-gamma band after the intervention | The change between baseline and the time after 30 minutes intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the intervention |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure pain tolerance after the 30 minutes break | The change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention | Use a pressure algometer to press on the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the pressure would stop until the feeling reach the pain intensity at 5/10. |
| Pressure pain threshold after the 30 minutes break | The change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention | Use a pressure algometer to press on the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the pressure would stop until the feeling changes from non-painful feeling to painful feeling. |
| EEG power spectrum change in delta band after the 30 minutes break | The change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break |
| EEG power spectrum change in theta band after the 30 minutes break | The change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break |
| EEG power spectrum change in alpha band after the 30 minutes break | The change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break |
| EEG power spectrum change in beta band after the 30 minutes break | The change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break |
| EEG power spectrum change in low-gamma band after the 30 minutes break | The change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break |
| EEG power spectrum change in high-gamma band after the 30 minutes break | The change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break |
| EEG power spectrum change in total gamma band after the 30 minutes break | The change between 30 minutes intervention and 30 minutes break after the intervention | Evaluate brain activity after the 30 minutes break |
Countries
Taiwan
Contacts
Primary ContactLi-Wei Chou, PhD
Backup ContactHeng-Chi Hsu
Outcome results
None listed