Hypoalgesic Effect of Electrical Current and Cervical Manipulation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study evaluates the hypoalgesic effect of the TENS application associated with joint manipulation of the cervical region in healthy individuals. One group had both active treatments, the other group received both placebo treatments, the third and fourth group received only one of the two treatments actively and the other placebo

Detailed Description
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Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Cervical Joint Manipulation (CJM) are often used for pain treatment. TENS also promotes analgesia by activating a descending pathway, which originates in the periaqueductal grey (PAG) and in the rostroventromedial medulla (RVM) to inhibit the excitability of nociceptive neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Joint manipulation generates a series of stimuli within the central nervous system through the activation of proprioceptors located in the joint capsule or muscles, stimulates the PAG, causing pain inhibition by activation of non-opioid descending inhibitory pathways

Official Title
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Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Cervical Joint Manipulation on Pressure Pain Threshold

Conditions
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Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Application of TENS
* Device: CJM
* Device: Placebo TENS
* Device: Placebo CJM


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: healthy subjects no pain complaints from the last 90 days Exclusion Criteria: previous spinal surgeries spinal canal stenosis vertebral fracture spondylolisthesis cancer acute infections hemorrhagic disorders active tuberculosis deep vein thrombosis osteoporosis diseases rheumatic diseases metabolic cardiorespiratory diseases headache in the last seven days smoking changes in skin sensitivity use of pacemaker women in menstrual period pregnant women use of pain-killers in the last 48 hours use of anti-inflammatory drugs in the last 48 hours previous electrostimulation previous cervical joint manipulation treatments hypersensitivity to TENS application aversion to cervical joint manipulation positive test for vertebral artery.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Interventional Model Description: The participants will be randomly allocated into 4 groups: (G1) active TENS and CJM, (G2) placebo TENS and CJM, (G3) placebo TENS and active CJM, (G4) active TENS and placebo CJM.
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: active TENS and CJM<br>The active unit will be applied with the patient in a supine position at a high frequency of 100 Hz, and pulse duration of 100 µs. Strong but comfortable intensity as dictated by each subject will be applied for 20 minutes. After application of TENS The examiner 3, who is responsible for cervical joint manipulation, will enter the room and stand at the head of the patient. Using the middle phalanx of the second finger of one hand, the examiner will apply pressure laterally on the joint processes of C6 and C7 vertebrae; the examiner will cradle the patient's opposite side with the other hand and then perform an ipsilateral inclination towards the C6, C7 segments, followed by a contralateral rotation to the tissue barrier to perform a high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation (thrust). | Device: Application of TENS<br>* The subject's skin will be cleaned with mild soap and water. Two square self-adhesive electrodes (5x5cm) will be placed 1 cm below the olecranon of the ulna and 10 cm above the radiocarpal joint of the dominant hand, maintaining the PPT measurement region between two electrodes. Two identical TENS units will be used: an active and a placebo (Neurodyn Portable TENS, IBRAMED). The active unit will be applied with the patient in a supine position at a high frequency of 100 Hz, and pulse duration of 100 µs. Strong but comfortable intensity as dictated by each subject will be applied for 20 minutes. Participants will be asked about the intensity of TENS every 5 minutes, and if the intensity has faded, the intensity will be increased again to a strong but comfortable level.<br>* Other names: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS);Device: CJM<br>* The examiner 3, who is responsible for cervical joint manipulation, will enter the room and stand at the head of the patient. Using the middle phalanx of the second finger of one hand, the examiner will apply pressure laterally on the joint processes of C6 and C7 vertebrae; the examiner will cradle the patient's opposite side with the other hand and then perform an ipsilateral inclination towards the C6, C7 segments, followed by a contralateral rotation to the tissue barrier to perform a high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation (thrust). If the patient does not experience joint cavitation during the maneuver, two more attempts will be made. If no sound occurs on the third attempt, the joints will be considered manipulated.<br>* Other names: Cervical Joint Manipulation;|
| Placebo Comparator: placebos TENS and CJM<br>The application of placebo TENS will be at a frequency of 100 Hz and pulse duration of 100 µs for 30 seconds. After the initial 30 seconds, the current amplitude will gradually decrease over 15 seconds until it reaches zero value. Placebo CJM will be performed using an identical position to the active manipulation, however, for only 15 seconds, as proposed by some authors that have used placebo group in their studies[42-44]. The examiner shall not exert tension in the joint capsule of the segment to ensure the placebo effect | Device: Placebo TENS<br>* The application of placebo TENS will be at a frequency of 100 Hz and pulse duration of 100 µs for 30 seconds. After the initial 30 seconds, the current amplitude will gradually decrease over 15 seconds until it reaches zero value. Participants will be informed that TENS can cause a slight tingling sensation or any sensation during the procedure. They will be asked every 5 minutes if they are comfortable, without increasing intensity as in the active TENS group<br>* Other names: Placebo Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS);Device: Placebo CJM<br>* Placebo CJM will be performed using an identical position to the active manipulation, however, for only 15 seconds, as proposed by some authors that have used placebo group in their studies. The examiner shall not exert tension in the joint capsule of the segment to ensure the placebo effect. The maneuvers will be carried out by a physiotherapist with more than 5 years of experience in manual therapy. The active or placebo manipulation will be performed on the right or left side according to randomization.<br>* Other names: Placebo Cervical Joint Manipulation;|
| Active Comparator: placebo TENS and active CJM<br>The application of placebo TENS will be at a frequency of 100 Hz and pulse duration of 100 µs for 30 seconds. After the initial 30 seconds, the current amplitude will gradually decrease over 15 seconds until it reaches zero value. After application of placebo TENS The examiner 3, who is responsible for cervical joint manipulation, will enter the room and stand at the head of the patient. Using the middle phalanx of the second finger of one hand, the examiner will apply pressure laterally on the joint processes of C6 and C7 vertebrae; the examiner will cradle the patient's opposite side with the other hand and then perform an ipsilateral inclination towards the C6, C7 segments, followed by a contralateral rotation. | Device: CJM<br>* The examiner 3, who is responsible for cervical joint manipulation, will enter the room and stand at the head of the patient. Using the middle phalanx of the second finger of one hand, the examiner will apply pressure laterally on the joint processes of C6 and C7 vertebrae; the examiner will cradle the patient's opposite side with the other hand and then perform an ipsilateral inclination towards the C6, C7 segments, followed by a contralateral rotation to the tissue barrier to perform a high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation (thrust). If the patient does not experience joint cavitation during the maneuver, two more attempts will be made. If no sound occurs on the third attempt, the joints will be considered manipulated.<br>* Other names: Cervical Joint Manipulation;Device: Placebo TENS<br>* The application of placebo TENS will be at a frequency of 100 Hz and pulse duration of 100 µs for 30 seconds. After the initial 30 seconds, the current amplitude will gradually decrease over 15 seconds until it reaches zero value. Participants will be informed that TENS can cause a slight tingling sensation or any sensation during the procedure. They will be asked every 5 minutes if they are comfortable, without increasing intensity as in the active TENS group<br>* Other names: Placebo Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS);|
| Active Comparator: active TENS and placebo CJM<br>The active unit will be applied with the patient in a supine position at a high frequency of 100 Hz, and pulse duration of 100 µs. Strong but comfortable intensity as dictated by each subject will be applied for 20 minutes. After application of placebo TENS The examiner 3, who is responsible for cervical joint manipulation, will enter the room and stand at the head of the patient. Using the middle phalanx of the second finger of one hand, the examiner will apply pressure laterally on the joint processes of C6 and C7 vertebrae; the examiner will cradle the patient's opposite side with the other hand and then perform an ipsilateral inclination towards the C6, C7 segments, followed by a contralateral rotation. | Device: Application of TENS<br>* The subject's skin will be cleaned with mild soap and water. Two square self-adhesive electrodes (5x5cm) will be placed 1 cm below the olecranon of the ulna and 10 cm above the radiocarpal joint of the dominant hand, maintaining the PPT measurement region between two electrodes. Two identical TENS units will be used: an active and a placebo (Neurodyn Portable TENS, IBRAMED). The active unit will be applied with the patient in a supine position at a high frequency of 100 Hz, and pulse duration of 100 µs. Strong but comfortable intensity as dictated by each subject will be applied for 20 minutes. Participants will be asked about the intensity of TENS every 5 minutes, and if the intensity has faded, the intensity will be increased again to a strong but comfortable level.<br>* Other names: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS);Device: Placebo CJM<br>* Placebo CJM will be performed using an identical position to the active manipulation, however, for only 15 seconds, as proposed by some authors that have used placebo group in their studies. The examiner shall not exert tension in the joint capsule of the segment to ensure the placebo effect. The maneuvers will be carried out by a physiotherapist with more than 5 years of experience in manual therapy. The active or placebo manipulation will be performed on the right or left side according to randomization.<br>* Other names: Placebo Cervical Joint Manipulation;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pressure Pain Threshold of the posterior region of the forearm | The examiner will use a Somedic Type II digital pressure algometer (Somedic Inc, Hörby, Sweden) on the posterior region of the forearm 10cm below the lateral epicondyle of the elbow towards the third finger, with the forearm maintained in pronation. Next, the pressure will be applied perpendicularly to the skin at a rate of 40kPa/s using a flat, 1cm2 circular probe covered with 1mm of rubber to avoid any skin pain from sharp metal edges. The average of the PPT scores (in kPa) will be recorded by the assessor. | 1 minute after the end of the intervention. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pressure Pain Threshold of the posterior region of the forearm | The examiner will use a Somedic Type II digital pressure algometer (Somedic Inc, Hörby, Sweden) on the posterior region of the forearm 10cm below the lateral epicondyle of the elbow towards the third finger, with the forearm maintained in pronation. Next, the pressure will be applied perpendicularly to the skin at a rate of 40kPa/s using a flat, 1cm2 circular probe covered with 1mm of rubber to avoid any skin pain from sharp metal edges. The average of the PPT scores (in kPa) will be recorded by the assessor. | 20 minutes after the end of the intervention | 
| Pressure Pain Threshold of the tibialis anterior muscle | For the PPT assessment over the tibialis anterior muscle of the dominant side, the patient will be positioned supine on a stretcher with the knees flexed at 90°. The examiner will place the pressure algometer 5 cm below the tibial tuberosity and 2.5 cm laterally to the tibial tuberosity over the tibialis anterior muscle. | 1 minute after the end of the intervention. | 
| Pressure Pain Threshold of the tibialis anterior muscle | For the PPT assessment over the tibialis anterior muscle of the dominant side, the patient will be positioned supine on a stretcher with the knees flexed at 90°. The examiner will place the pressure algometer 5 cm below the tibial tuberosity and 2.5 cm laterally to the tibial tuberosity over the tibialis anterior muscle. | 20 minutes after the end of the intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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TENS, cervical manipulation, pressure pain