Evaluation of Endogenous Pain Modulation Mechanisms With Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
CompletedNot applicableNCT04236570
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Brief summary (from the registry)
A number of chronic pain conditions are characterized by imbalances in excitatory and/or inhibitory mechanisms and these deficits appear correlated with the response to certain treatments. Evaluating these mechanisms among people who suffer from chronic pain could allow clinicians to adapt the treatment to each patient according to the deficits observed. To evaluate excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms, a thermode (hot plate) and a cold water bath can be used (standardized protocol). Unfortunately, these tools are expensive, time-consuming and require complex equipment and software. As such, it is not realistic for clinicians to use them for routine patient assessment. A potential alternative to study these mechanisms is TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). TENS is frequently used in rehabilitation and unlike thermode and cold water bath, is affordable, easy to use and requires very little time and equipment. The objective of this study are to determine if the TENS can replace the thermode and cold water bath (standardized protocol) for the evaluation of excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms. Also, to determine if there will be a correlation with the standardized protocol. 50 healthy participants between 18 and 60 years old will participate in this study. Each participant will attend two experimental sessions. In one of the two sessions, the evaluation will be done with the TENS; in the other session, the evaluation will be done with the standardized protocol (thermode and cold water bath).
Study details
- Official title
- Evaluation of Endogenous Pain Modulation Mechanisms With Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Conditions
- Interventions
- Device: Thermode(hot plate) and cold water bath
- Device: TENS(transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
- Sponsor
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Start date
- 2020-01-15
- Primary completion
- 2020-08-15
- Sex
- All
- Age range
- from 18 Years to 60 Years
- Healthy volunteers
- true
- Results posted
- No results posted in this snapshot
- Countries
- Canada
- Total sites listed
- 1
Eligibility criteria
Show eligibility criteria (verbatim from the registry)
Inclusion Criteria: * Man or woman between 18 and 60 years old (inclusive) Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic pain * Neurological disorders * Musculoskeletal disorders * Depression * Raynaud syndrome * History of non-efficacy with TENS * History of epilepsy * Presence of a pacemaker or metal implants * Antidepressant * Anticonvulsant * Analgesics * Caffeine
Canadian sites (1)
| Facility | City | Province |
|---|---|---|
| Centre de Recherche sur le Vieillissement | Sherbrooke | Quebec |
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Library of Medicine), snapshot October 2026. Check the registry for current recruiting status. Record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04236570