TENS at two acupuncture points and its immediate effects on pain-related brain signals
Acute Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation at Acupoints on Nociceptive Transmission: A Mechanism Study Using Pain-Related Evoked Potentials
NA · China Medical University Hospital · NCT07267052
This sees if TENS applied to two acupuncture points (Zhongzhu SJ3 and Hegu LI4) changes pain-related brain signals in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 35 (estimated) |
| Ages | 20 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | China Medical University Hospital (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Taichung, Beitun, Taiwan) |
| Trial ID | NCT07267052 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy adults participate in two randomized within-subject sessions where baseline pain-related evoked potentials (PREPs) are recorded, followed by a 20-minute low-frequency TENS application to one acupoint and a post-intervention PREP recording. The study compares PREP waveform features (N2 and P2 amplitudes and latencies) before and after TENS at Zhongzhu (SJ3) and Hegu (LI4) to detect changes in cortical nociceptive processing. Subjective pain ratings and any adverse responses are collected to evaluate tolerability alongside neurophysiological measures. Results aim to clarify whether acupoint TENS produces measurable modulation of nociceptive pathways in healthy volunteers.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Healthy adults aged 20 years or older without chronic medical conditions, skin disorders, substance abuse, interfering medications, pregnancy, pacemakers, or epilepsy are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with chronic pain conditions, implanted cardiac devices, epilepsy, pregnancy, or other conditions that interfere with measurements are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help refine acupoint-based electrical therapies and guide development of targeted TENS approaches for pain relief.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown that TENS or acupuncture can alter cortical pain responses, but results are mixed and applying PREP measurements to these specific acupoints is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants will be healthy adults aged 20 years or older. All participants must meet the inclusion criteria, including the absence of chronic medical conditions, no history of drug allergies or skin disorders, and no current use of medications that could affect study outcomes. To ensure the reliability of the results, participants are required to maintain a regular daily routine and have no history of substance or medication abuse. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants with a history of malignant tumors, hand disorders, implanted cardiac pacemakers, pregnancy, epilepsy, or any other condition that may interfere with the study procedures will be excluded from the study.
Where this trial is running
Taichung, Beitun, Taiwan
- Department of Physical Therapy of China Medical University — Taichung, Beitun, Taiwan, Taiwan (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Yueh-Ling Hsieh
- Email: sherrie@mail.cmu.edu.tw
- Phone: 04-22053366 Ext. #7312
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Pain Management, Somatosensory Evoked Potentials, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Pain-Related Evoked Potentials, Zhongzhu, Hegu