Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06882733

The Immediate Effect of Applying Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Sympathetic Ganglion and Gastrocnemius for Popliteal Blood Flow

This study aims to evaluate the immediate hemodynamic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the popliteal artery and vein. Vascular issues like PAOD and DVT are common in patients with diabetes, obesity, or immobility due to increased resistance and reduced blood flow. Traditional treatments (medication or surgery) are not always feasible, prompting interest in TENS as an alternative. Although primarily used for pain relief, TENS may enhance blood flow. This research compares different stimulation frequencies (80 Hz vs. 4 Hz) and sites (gastrocnemius muscle vs. thoracolumbar sympathetic ganglia) to identify the most effective configuration.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Blood Flow Popliteal Sympathetic Ganglia

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kaohsiung Medical University

Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, 807378

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

jie meng shen, graduate student

CONTACT

[email protected]

+886-935751158

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy people
  • Age: 18 years and above (inclusive)
  • Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24

Exclusion criteria

  • Unable to complete two interventions within a week
  • Have contraindications to electrotherapy (for example: metal implants in the body, open wounds, pregnancy, sensory loss)
  • Obvious varicose veins 4. Unable to lie down for about 1 to 2 hours 5. Taking drugs or nutritional supplements that affect autonomic nervous activity or vasodilation (for example: Ginkgo biloba) 6. Smoking 7. Ankle and Ankle Index (ABI) less than 0.9 or greater than 1.3

Treatment and study plan

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation，TENS

Device

low frequency (4Hz) and sympathetic ganglion(T12.L1.L2) low frequency (4Hz) and gastrocnemius high frequency (80Hz) and sympathetic ganglion(T12.L1.L2) high frequency (80Hz) and gastrocnemius

Primary outcomes

  1. Doppler ultrasound measurement of changes in popliteal fossa blood flow

    Time frame: 45 minutes

    Using Doppler ultrasound to measure blood flow before, during, immediately after, and 15 minutes after electrical stimulation to observe the effects of electrical stimulation on blood flow.

Secondary outcomes

  1. heart rate

    Time frame: 45 minutes

    oximeter to measure heart rate before, during, immediately after, and 15 minutes after electrical stimulation to observe the effects of electrical stimulation on heart rate.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Mengjie Shen

CONTACT

[email protected]

+886935751158

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kaohsiung Medical University

Other

Registry information

Acronym: TENS

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Mar 18, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 18, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.