HFAC Stimulation (30-50 Kilohertz) in Healthy Volunteers (High Frequency Alternating Current Stimulation)

NCT ID: NCT05230836

Last Updated: 2022-05-16

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

34 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-02-10

Study Completion Date

2022-12-25

Brief Summary

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High-frequency alternating current (HFAC) stimulation (between 1 kilohertz (kHz) and 100 kHz) on the peripheral nerve has been shown in basic animal research to produce a rapidly reversible nerve block without nerve damage. In human studies, frequencies between 1 kHz and 30 kHz had been applied (both transcutaneously and percutaneously), showing rapidly reversible sensorimotor changes after stimulation without adverse effects. However, the effect of currents with a frequency higher than 30 kHz, which has been shown to be more effective in eliciting nerve block in primates, has not been investigated in humans.

The main objective of this study is to investigate the safety of the intervention and the effect in healthy volunteers of transcutaneous application of alternating currents with frequencies between 30 kHz and 50 kHz on neurophysiological changes in the nerve (nerve conduction velocity and antidromic sensory action potentials (SNAPs), sensory (pain to pressure, epicritic sensitivity and thermal pain to heat) and motor (maximal isometric force) components of the median nerve.

Detailed Description

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Electrical stimulation with high-frequency alternating currents (between 1 kHz and 100 kHz) on the peripheral nerve has shown, in basic research with animals, that it produces a rapidly reversible nerve block without causing damage to the nerve. In humans, studies have been carried out with frequencies between 1 kHz and 30 kHz applied both transcutaneously and percutaneously, showing rapidly reversible sensorimotor changes after stimulation and without causing adverse effects. However, the effect of currents with a frequency greater than 30 kHz has not been investigated in humans, which has been shown to be more effective in causing nerve block in primates.

The main objective of this study is to investigate the safety of the intervention and the effect in healthy volunteers of the transcutaneous application of alternating currents with frequencies between 30 kHz and 50 kHz on neurophysiological changes in the nerve (nerve conduction velocity and antidromic sensory compound action potentials (PACSA), the sensitive component (pressure pain, epicritic sensitivity and thermal pain to heat) and motor (maximum force) of the median nerve.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial has been designed. The participants will be healthy volunteers between 18 and 40 years old recruited from the students and staff of the Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing of the University of Castilla-La Mancha. Four interventions will be performed randomizing the order: Group A: 30 kHz, group B: 40 kHz, group C: 50 kHz and group D: sham electrical stimulation.

Conditions

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Healthy Nerve Block Pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Four interventions will be performed in randomized order: Group A: 30 kHz HFAC, group B: 40 kHz HFAC, group C: 50 kHz HFAC and group D: simulated electrical stimulation.

kHz (kilohertz)
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors
Blinding of participants and evaluator shall be performed using the same equipment, electrodes, cables, and placement for the actual or placebo treatments. In addition, the participants and the evaluator will not have a view of the equipment screen. Blinding of the outcome assessor will be performed using different team members for randomization of the interventions (Investigator 1), intervention (Investigator 2), evaluation (Investigator 3) and statistical analysis (Investigator 4). Randomization will be kept hidden from participants and research team members in sealed envelopes and only the researcher who will deliver the intervention (researcher 2) will know the group assignment. Successful blinding of participants and evaluator will be analyzed.

Study Groups

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30 kilohertz

Alternating current stimulation at 30 kilohertz via transcutaneous, 15 minutes each intervention with a maximum intensity of 400 milliamperes (mA).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

High-frequency alternating current stimulation

Intervention Type OTHER

For electrical stimulation in the active groups, unmodulated alternating currents with a symmetrical rectangular waveform of 30 kHz, 40 kHz and 50 kHz will be applied. The current intensity shall be adjusted individually for each participant by increasing the current intensity until the participant reports a "strong but comfortable tingling" sensation just below the excitomotor threshold on the palmar aspect of the hand in the dermatomes innervated by the median nerve. The intensity of the current shall be adjusted every two minutes if the tingling sensation decreases. This protocol has been used in previous studies conducted by our research group

40 kilohertz

Alternating current stimulation at 40 kilohertz via transcutaneous, 15 minutes each intervention with a maximum intensity of 400 milliamperes (mA).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

High-frequency alternating current stimulation

Intervention Type OTHER

For electrical stimulation in the active groups, unmodulated alternating currents with a symmetrical rectangular waveform of 30 kHz, 40 kHz and 50 kHz will be applied. The current intensity shall be adjusted individually for each participant by increasing the current intensity until the participant reports a "strong but comfortable tingling" sensation just below the excitomotor threshold on the palmar aspect of the hand in the dermatomes innervated by the median nerve. The intensity of the current shall be adjusted every two minutes if the tingling sensation decreases. This protocol has been used in previous studies conducted by our research group

50 kilohertz

Alternating current stimulation at 50 kilohertz via transcutaneous, 15 minutes each intervention with a maximum intensity of 400 milliamperes (mA).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

High-frequency alternating current stimulation

Intervention Type OTHER

For electrical stimulation in the active groups, unmodulated alternating currents with a symmetrical rectangular waveform of 30 kHz, 40 kHz and 50 kHz will be applied. The current intensity shall be adjusted individually for each participant by increasing the current intensity until the participant reports a "strong but comfortable tingling" sensation just below the excitomotor threshold on the palmar aspect of the hand in the dermatomes innervated by the median nerve. The intensity of the current shall be adjusted every two minutes if the tingling sensation decreases. This protocol has been used in previous studies conducted by our research group

Sham stimulation

Sham stimulation via transcutaneous, 15 minutes each intervention, following the same procedures as 30, 40 and 50kHz HFAC groups.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham current stimulation

Intervention Type OTHER

Sham electrical stimulation will be performed with the same equipment and electrodes as in the active groups without the participants and the evaluator having a view of the device screen. The intensity of the current will be increased for 30 seconds until the sensory threshold ("strong but comfortable tingling sensation") is exceeded and once the threshold is reached, the intensity will be reduced to 0 mA with 30 seconds ramp down. Participants will not receive electrical current during the rest of the placebo intervention. This protocol was used in other studies with similar interventions to blind participants.

Interventions

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High-frequency alternating current stimulation

For electrical stimulation in the active groups, unmodulated alternating currents with a symmetrical rectangular waveform of 30 kHz, 40 kHz and 50 kHz will be applied. The current intensity shall be adjusted individually for each participant by increasing the current intensity until the participant reports a "strong but comfortable tingling" sensation just below the excitomotor threshold on the palmar aspect of the hand in the dermatomes innervated by the median nerve. The intensity of the current shall be adjusted every two minutes if the tingling sensation decreases. This protocol has been used in previous studies conducted by our research group

Intervention Type OTHER

Sham current stimulation

Sham electrical stimulation will be performed with the same equipment and electrodes as in the active groups without the participants and the evaluator having a view of the device screen. The intensity of the current will be increased for 30 seconds until the sensory threshold ("strong but comfortable tingling sensation") is exceeded and once the threshold is reached, the intensity will be reduced to 0 mA with 30 seconds ramp down. Participants will not receive electrical current during the rest of the placebo intervention. This protocol was used in other studies with similar interventions to blind participants.

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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Neuromodest® Cibertec-Inc. CHFS 500i Neuromodest® Cibertec-Inc. CHFS 500i sham

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Healthy volunteer participants.
* Ability to perform all clinical tests and understand the study protocol, as well as obtain informed consent.
* Tolerance to the application of electrotherapy.

Exclusion Criteria

* Having been treated with an electric current similar to the one applied prior to the intervention.
* Neurological pathology of peripheral or central origin.
* Altered sensitivity in the area of application of the intervention.
* No compromise of continuity.
* History of neuromuscular disease.
* Epilepsy.
* Trauma, surgery or pain affecting the upper limb.
* Diabetes.
* History of cancer.
* Cardiovascular, metabolic or immunological diseases.
* Presence of pacemaker or any other implanted electrical device.
* Taking medication during the study and in the 7 days prior to the study.
* Consumption of narcotic substances during the study and in the 7 days prior to the study.
* Presence of tattoos or any other external agent introduced in the area of treatment and treatment and assessment area (hand).
* Pregnancy.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

40 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Castilla-La Mancha

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Juan Avendaño-Coy, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Castilla-La Mancha

Julio Gómez-Soriano, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

University of Castilla-La Mancha

Diego Serrano-Muñoz, PhD

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

University of Castilla-La Mancha

Juan José Fernández-Pérez, PhD student

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

University of Castilla-La Mancha

Locations

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Castilla-La Mancha University

Toledo, , Spain

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Spain

Central Contacts

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Juan Fernández-Pérez, PhD student

Role: CONTACT

+34691336523

Juan Avendaño-Coy, PhD

Role: CONTACT

926051649 ext. 5814

Facility Contacts

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Juan Avendaño-Coy, PhD

Role: primary

925268800

References

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Megia Garcia A, Serrano-Munoz D, Bravo-Esteban E, Ando Lafuente S, Avendano-Coy J, Gomez-Soriano J. [Analgesic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with fibromyalgia: A systematic review]. Aten Primaria. 2019 Aug-Sep;51(7):406-415. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2018.03.010. Epub 2018 Jul 17. Spanish.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30029964 (View on PubMed)

Serrano-Munoz D, Avendano-Coy J, Simon-Martinez C, Taylor J, Gomez-Soriano J. 20-kHz alternating current stimulation: effects on motor and somatosensory thresholds. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2020 Feb 19;17(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s12984-020-00661-x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32075666 (View on PubMed)

Serrano-Munoz D, Avendano-Coy J, Simon-Martinez C, Taylor J, Gomez-Soriano J. Effect of high-frequency alternating current transcutaneous stimulation over muscle strength: a controlled pilot study. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2018 Nov 12;15(1):103. doi: 10.1186/s12984-018-0443-2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30419966 (View on PubMed)

Fernandez-Perez JJ, Serrano-Munoz D, Gomez-Soriano J, Alvarez DM, Avendano-Coy J. Selective nociceptive modulation using a novel prototype of transcutaneous kilohertz high-frequency alternating current stimulation: a crossover double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2024 Nov 15;21(1):203. doi: 10.1186/s12984-024-01503-w.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 39548560 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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2021-006548-28

Identifier Type: EUDRACT_NUMBER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

MCIN/10.13039/501100011033

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

neuromodest-gifto

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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