NCT05280522

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the pain relieving effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation that is applied for the purpose of increasing muscle force output.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
20

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for all trials

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2018

Shorter than P25 for all trials

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 19, 2018

Completed
7 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 28, 2019

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 28, 2019

Completed
2.7 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 14, 2022

Completed
29 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 15, 2022

Completed
Last Updated

March 15, 2022

Status Verified

February 1, 2022

Enrollment Period

7 months

First QC Date

February 14, 2022

Last Update Submit

March 4, 2022

Conditions

Keywords

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve StimulationNoxious Electrical StimulationPain ThresholdMuscle ContractionMuscle WeaknessPain ManagementQuadricepsStrengthPain Inhibition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Pain Inhibition

    Pain inhibition will be assessed as the difference in pressure pain threshold (PPT) before and 15 minutes after each condition. PPT will be measured with a pain pressure algometer (Algomed, Medco, Durham, NC). Pressure will be applied over the quadriceps tendon 1 cm proximal to the patella through a 1.0 cm diameter tip at a rate of 30 kilopascals/second. Using a standard script, participants are asked to indicate when the sensation changes from deep pressure to pain. PPTs will be measured at the right (treatment) knee, as well as the contralateral knee and the distal phalanx of the middle finger of the right hand. Three consecutive PPTs will be measured at each site, with ≥ 30 s between each measurement. The last 2 measurements will be averaged and used in the analysis. The change in PPT before and after each condition will comprise the magnitude of pain inhibition.

    day 2

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Pain Ratings

    day 2

Study Arms (1)

Repeated Measures Experiment

Participants are positioned in an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 4 Isokinetic Dynamometer , Biodex Medical Systems, Inc., Shirley, NY) with the knee flexed to approximately 90 degrees. After 3-4 submaximal warm up contractions, participants generate maximum knee extension force while vigorous verbal encouragement is provided. Two trials are collected with 30 seconds between trials. The maximum forces from the 2 trials is used to determine the target force of 20% MVIC used for the volitional and NMES contractions and to normalize the force of the muscle contractions.

Other: Volitional Contractions (VOL)Device: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)Device: Noxious Electrical Stimulation (NXES)

Interventions

Participants are provided visual feedback showing the 20% MVIC force and instructed to produce the target force for 10 s then relax for 50 s. The timing is provided by the research personnel until 10 contractions are completed. Participants rate their pain during each contraction on a visual analog scale. The pain ratings are averaged across all 10 contractions and the average is used in the analysis.

Repeated Measures Experiment

Participants are instructed to relax throughout the NMES contractions. The amplitude of the stimulation is increased until 20 percent MVIC force is achieved and the amplitude is recorded. The timing of the NMES is 12 s on: 50 s off for 10 contractions. The on-time included a 2s ramp up to the target amplitude. Participants rate their pain during each contraction on a visual analog scale. The pain ratings were averaged across all 10 contractions and the average was used in the analyses.

Repeated Measures Experiment

The intensity of the electrical stimulation is increased slowly over 30 s to the maximum tolerated level. Trains of NXES are delivered at the maximum tolerated intensity with a timing ratio of 12 s on: 50 s off for a total of 10 trains. The on-time included a 2s ramp up to the target amplitude. Participants rate the pain during each contraction on a visual analog scale. The pain ratings were averaged across all 10 trains of NXES and the average is used in the analyses.

Repeated Measures Experiment

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 30 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)
Sampling MethodNon-Probability Sample
Study Population

Healthy men and women between 18-30 years of age

You may qualify if:

  • Young, healthy men and women between 18-30 years of age

You may not qualify if:

  • high blood pressure or heart problems;
  • Type II diabetes;
  • Injury in the last 12 months to your feet, legs, back or spine that required the care of a medical professional;
  • pain in the past 6 months that has lasted more than a few days;
  • fibromyalgia or other chronic pain condition;
  • neurological problems such as stroke;
  • dizziness or unexplained falls;
  • problems with blood vessels or circulation or skin sensation;
  • cancer
  • are or could be pregnant

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of New England Motion Analysis Lab

Portland, Maine, 04103-2656, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Muscle WeaknessAgnosia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular DiseasesMusculoskeletal DiseasesNeuromuscular ManifestationsNeurologic ManifestationsNervous System DiseasesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsSigns and SymptomsPerceptual DisordersNeurobehavioral Manifestations

Study Officials

  • Katherine S Rudolph, PT, PhD

    University of New England Physical Therapy

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
observational
Observational Model
COHORT
Time Perspective
CROSS SECTIONAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 14, 2022

First Posted

March 15, 2022

Study Start

October 19, 2018

Primary Completion

May 28, 2019

Study Completion

May 28, 2019

Last Updated

March 15, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-02

Locations