Analysis of Sensory and Motor Thresholds During Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation in Different Sexes and Ages

The sensory and motor perception thresholds can influence the therapeutic effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. This study aimed to determine the threshold of sensory perception and the threshold of motor response in young and elderly subjects of both sexes. Eighty healthy volunteers were evaluated; 40 women and 40 men divided into two equal groups of young and elderly subjects. Half of the individuals in each group were stimulated with 5 and 50Hz frequency, with pulse duration of 20, 100, 400, 1000 and 3000µs applied on the flexor muscle bellies of the wrist and fingers. The threshold of sensory perception was identified as the first sensation of increased current intensity and the threshold of motor response as the minimum muscle contraction detected. The results were submitted to ANOVA test, followed by the Tukey test, with a significance level of 5%.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Individuals

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

healthy individuals

Exclusion criteria

not present: previous circulatory, nervous or metabolic diseases, metal implants in areas to be studied; fracture on upper limb studied; history of pain or injury in areas to be studied.
are not in menstrual period or a week before it
not be making use of drugs that affect the nervous system

Treatment and study plan

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Other

Primary outcomes

Analysis of sensory thresholds

Time frame: 1 years

A pulse generator was used for data collection, with constant current intensity, and the following parameters were used for current stimulation: square biphasic wave, and pulse-width varying in 20, 50, 100, 200,300, 500, 1000 and 3000µs, at a frequency of 5 or 50Hz. During the procedure, the volunteers remained seated, with the forearm in supination, resting on a table. The tests always initiated with 20µs pulse-width, with high intensity until the threshold of sensory perception were reached. At this point, the intensity was reset and the procedure began again, followed by the next pulse duration, progressively evolving up to 3000µs and repeated three times with a 10-minute interval between the tests. The procedures were carried out with a 72 hour minimum interval for different frequencies.
Analysis of Motor thresholds

Time frame: 1 years

A pulse generator was used for data collection, with constant current intensity, and the following parameters were used for current stimulation: square biphasic wave, and pulse-width varying in 20, 50, 100, 200,300, 500, 1000 and 3000µs, at a frequency of 5 or 50Hz. During the procedure, the volunteers remained seated, with the forearm in supination, resting on a table. The tests always initiated with 20µs pulse-width, with high intensity until the threshold of motor response were reached. At this point, the intensity was reset and the procedure began again, followed by the next pulse duration, progressively evolving up to 3000µs and repeated three times with a 10-minute interval between the tests. The procedures were carried out with a 72 hour minimum interval for different frequencies.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Sao Paulo

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2011
Primary completion: 2013
Study completion: 2013
First posted: Jun 12, 2013
Registry last updated: Jun 12, 2013

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed