Echo-guided Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation of the Femoral Nerve

Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia32 enrolled

Overview

Introduction. Variables such as pain and strength can be modified in the short and medium term by the application of currents. The percutaneous form of percutaneous needle-guided acupuncture can eliminate the impedance of the surrounding tissues that limit the optimal diffusion of the current to the target tissue. It is necessary to objectify the metabolic response of this technique and its effects in terms of strength and metabolic response. Objective. To evaluate the safety and efficacy, in acute and subacute phases, of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in healthy subjects. Method. Single-blind randomised clinical study. Thirty-two subjects will be recruited and randomised to the experimental and control groups. The intervention in the experimental group will consist of a percutaneous percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of the femoral nerve, while in the control group the same intervention will be performed without increasing the intensity of the current. The primary variable will be vertical jump height (My Jump® iOS app) and the secondary variable will be skin temperature (Hikmicro M60 model Hangzhou).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Health Subjects

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 24 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Persons aged 18 and 24. * Of both sexes. * Who practice sport at least twice a week. * Who sign the informed consent document. Exclusion Criteria: * Medical diagnosis of chronic systemic diseases or diseases that may interfere with thermographic imaging (rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, deep vein thrombosis, etc.). * Having undergone lower limb surgery in the 24 months prior to the study. * Intake of drugs that may influence the thermographic response (antipyretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, topical solutions on the area to be studied, etc.). * People with nickel allergy or belonephobia (needle phobia).

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from baseline jump height after warming, treatment and at 1 and 24 hours

Using the My Jump® application (iOS app), the jump height is evaluated. This tool measures the time in the air (in milliseconds), indirectly assessing the height of the jump (in centimetres). This tool has shown a high reliability in the evaluation of counter movement jump. The unit of measurement is centimetres (cm), where the higher the centimetres, the higher the jump height.

Time frame: Baseline, within the first seven days after warming, treatment and after 1 and 24 hours follow-up visit

Secondary Outcomes

Change from baseline muscle power after warming, treatment and at 1 and 24 hours

The metabolic response will be measured with a thermography device (Hikmicro M60 model Hangzhou camera). This complementary imaging technique analyses infrared radiation emitted by object surfaces (skin) and reflects the state of molecular agitation, providing objective information on the metabolic state of the underlying structures. The assessment shall be performed according to the consensus document on control variables in thermographic assessment.