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

Effectiveness and Safety of Electrical Stimulation With Alternating High-frequency Currents (30-50 Kilohertz) on the Sensorimotor System in Healthy Volunteer Subjects

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Pain; Healthy; Nerve Block
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: High-frequency alternating current stimulation; Other: Sham current stimulation

Detailed Description

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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 34
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Juan Fernández-Pérez, PhD student; Phone Number: +34691336523; Email: juanjose.fernandez@uclm.es
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Juan Avendaño-Coy, PhD; Phone Number: 5814 926051649; Email: juan.avendano@uclm.es

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Toledo, Spain, 45071
    • Recruiting
    • Castilla-La Mancha University
    • Contact: Juan Avendaño-Coy, PhD; Phone Number: 925268800; Email: juan.avendano@uclm.es

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 40 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

4

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 30 kilohertz; Alternating current stimulation at 30 kilohertz via transcutaneous, 15 minutes each intervention with a maximum intensity of 400 milliamperes (mA).	Other: 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; Other Names: Neuromodest® Cibertec-Inc. CHFS 500i
Experimental: 40 kilohertz; Alternating current stimulation at 40 kilohertz via transcutaneous, 15 minutes each intervention with a maximum intensity of 400 milliamperes (mA).	Other: 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; Other Names: Neuromodest® Cibertec-Inc. CHFS 500i
Experimental: 50 kilohertz; Alternating current stimulation at 50 kilohertz via transcutaneous, 15 minutes each intervention with a maximum intensity of 400 milliamperes (mA).	Other: 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; Other Names: Neuromodest® Cibertec-Inc. CHFS 500i
Sham Comparator: Sham stimulation; Sham stimulation via transcutaneous, 15 minutes each intervention, following the same procedures as 30, 40 and 50kHz HFAC groups.	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.; Other Names: Neuromodest® Cibertec-Inc. CHFS 500i sham

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pressure pain threshold	It will be assessed as an indirect measure of the blockade of the Aδ sensory fibers of the median nerve. Once the applicator is placed perpendicular to the skin, over an uncomfortable spot on the palmar aspect of the non-dominant hand, the pressure shall be increased at a rate of approximately 5 N/s. Three measurements shall be taken with an interval between measurements of 15 seconds, the average of the three measurements shall be taken as the pressure pain threshold.	Baseline, during intervention at 10 minutes, post immediate at 15 minutes and 15 minutes post intervention.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Compound antidromic sensitive nerve action potentials	It will be assessed as a direct measure of blockade of the large diameter sensory fibers Aα and Aβ over the non-dominant hand. Two recording electrodes (model Repusi-Gwc-1.5r reusable conductive ring electromyography electrodes) shall be used and placed on the index finger, the anode over the metacarpophalangeal joint and the cathode over the distal interphalangeal joint. The ground electrode shall be placed over the styloid process of the radius. The location of the median nerve in the forearm is then identified by transcutaneous bipolar stimulation. To evoke the action potential, supramaximal stimuli will be applied using a pulse width of 1000µs at a frequency of 1 Hz. The average of a train of 10 pulses will be collected for subsequent analysis.	Baseline, during intervention at 10 minutes, post immediate at 15 minutes and 15 minutes post intervention.
Maximal isometric pinch strength	It will be assessed as an indirect measure of the blockade of the motor fibers (Aα motor neurons) of the median nerve. Assessment of palmar pincer isometric peak force of the non-dominant hand (distal phalanx of the second and third finger with the distal phalanx of the first finger) shall be performed with a pincer dynamometer (Pinch meter P200 Biometric LTD). Three measurements of the peak isometric pincer force in Kg/f shall be recorded and the average of the three measurements shall be taken as the peak force value. The subject will hold the force for at least 3 seconds and it will be performed progressively until the maximum peak is reached, with at least 15 seconds of recovery between measurements. This measurement has shown excellent validity and reliability for measuring strength in median nerve blocks and neurological pathologies.	Baseline, during intervention at 10 minutes, post immediate at 15 minutes and 15 minutes post intervention.
Two points discrimination threshold	This will be assessed as an indirect measure of the blockage of the Aβ sensory fibers of the median nerve. Two-point tactile discrimination between two points will be carried out on the anterior face of the distal phalanx of the third finger with an esthesiometer (Baseline®). This evaluation will be carried out according to the protocol described by Sang W. et al (2017), instructing the subject to report when they perceive a point or two. The protocol begins with a descending trial with the esthesiometer initially set at a distance of 10 mm and decreasing by 1 mm until the participant reports perceiving a single point. When that happens, several stimuli around that threshold will be given randomly, including stimuli with a single tip. If the subject correctly identifies two of three stimuli while not at a shorter distance, that will be considered their final discrimination threshold.	Baseline, during intervention at 10 minutes, post immediate at 15 minutes and 15 minutes post intervention.
Heat pain threshold	It will be assessed as an indirect measure of the blockade of the type C amyelinic sensory fibers of the median nerve. Hot thermal stimuli will be applied over the thenar eminence in the palmar aspect of the non-dominant hand (dermatome innervated by the median nerve), using a 9 cm2 thermoelectric cell (TSA 2. Medoc, Israel). Three temperature ramp-up measurements will be performed with a time between tests of 30 seconds. The thermal pain threshold to heat shall be determined by the limit method and the mean value of the 3 measurements shall be taken as the threshold value. The starting temperature shall be 32°C and the rate of ascent shall be 1°C/s, with a rate of descent of 8,5°C/s. Subjects shall be instructed to press the device with the contralateral hand when the warm thermal sensation becomes painful and the temperature of the applicator shall automatically decrease. For safety reasons, 50°C shall be set as the cut-off temperature.	Baseline, during intervention at 10 minutes, post immediate at 15 minutes and 15 minutes post intervention.
Skin temperature	A doppler temperature and perfusion monitor (Moor Instruments model DRT4) with a recording sensor placed on the palmar side over the head of the third metacarpal will be used to record skin temperature of the non-dominant hand. An external analog thermometer shall be used to record the ambient temperature.	Baseline, during intervention at 10 minutes, post immediate at 15 minutes and 15 minutes post intervention.
Adverse effects and subjective current sensations	In order to assess the adverse effects and the subjective perception of the participants, a standardized questionnaire was developed. In this questionnaire, ten items have been established with response options (YES/NO) in relation to heat, cold, sweating, tingling, pain (burning/punching/electrical, superficial/deep), numbness, numbness, stiffness/shrinking, heaviness and/or weakness, together with the area in which they are perceived and an open item in which other effects or sensations that the participant has perceived will be collected. The unpleasantness of the intervention will also be assessed using a 10 cm visual analog scale where 0 corresponds to "not at all unpleasant" and 10 to "as unpleasant as you could receive".	Post immediate at 15 minutes and 24 hours after the intervention
Outcome and participant blinding assessment	Immediately after stimulation intervention (15 min) (30, 40, 50 kHz and sham) the success of blinding will be assessed through five response options: "What type of intervention do you think you have received?" I strongly believe I have received an experimental treatment/ I slightly believe I have received an experimental treatment/ I strongly believe I have received a placebo/ I slightly believe I have received a placebo/ don't know or no answer.	Post immediate at 15 minutes each intervention.

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Demographic characteristics	Demographic characteristics as age in years, gender, dominant upper limb, weight in kilograms, height in metres and body mass index in kg/m2 will be recorded. It shall also be recorded that the subject does not show any exclusion criteria.	Pre intervention (baseline 0min)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Castilla-La Mancha
• Collaborators: Ministry of science and innovation of Spain
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Juan Avendaño-Coy, PhD, University of Castilla-La Mancha; Study Director: Julio Gómez-Soriano, PhD, University of Castilla-La Mancha; Study Chair: Diego Serrano-Muñoz, PhD, University of Castilla-La Mancha; Study Chair: Juan José Fernández-Pérez, PhD student, University of Castilla-La Mancha

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 10, 2022
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): September 20, 2022
• Study Completion (Anticipated): December 25, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 14, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 27, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): February 9, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 16, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 9, 2022
• Last Verified: May 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Pain; Strength; Nerve block; Median nerve; high-frequency alternating current stimulation
• Other Study ID Numbers: neuromodest-gifto; 2021-006548-28 (EudraCT Number); MCIN/10.13039/501100011033 (Other Identifier: Ministery of science and innovation of Spain)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in this article, after deidentification (text, figures, images and appendix)
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: 1 month following article publication

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Investigators whose proposed use of the data has been approved by an independent ethical committee identified for this purpose.

This data will be shared only for individual participant data meta-analysis. The proposal should be directed to juan.avendano@uclm.es. The investigator will need to sign a data access agreement. Data will be available for 5 years.

• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; SAP

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No