Several studies have demonstrated that direct currents delivered through the skin at the level of the lumbar spinal cord can influence spinal cord function. In human volunteers, anodal lumbar transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) alters spinal processing of nociceptive inputs. Whether cervical tsDCS is able to do the same is less well known.
The investigators will compare the effects on the nociceptive processing of healthy volunteers of cervical and lumbar tsDCS. This study will be a double-blinded, sham-controlled, cross-over trial. Each participant will undergo two experimental sessions (anodal cervical tsDCS and sham lumbar tsDCS vs. sham cervical tsDCS and anodal lumbar tsDCS), separated by at least one week.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
24
Anodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (a-tsDCS)
NOCIONS lab
Brussels, Belgium
Change in contact-heat evoked potentials amplitude
N2/P2 amplitude
Time frame: Change from Baseline, at 15-minutes after the end of stimulation
Change in intensity of perception to contact-heat nociceptive stimuli
Difference in temperature (°C) needed to elicit a pain sensation of similar intensity in the upper and lower limb
Time frame: Change from Baseline, at 15-minutes after the end of stimulation
Change in temporal summation of pain
Wind-up ratio (WUR) to mechanical pinprick stimuli
Time frame: Change from Baseline, at 15-minutes after the end of stimulation
Change in intensity of perception to mechanical pinprick nociceptive stimuli
Numerical rating scale (0-100)
Time frame: Change from Baseline, at 15-minutes after the end of stimulation
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.