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Acute Effects of TENS on Cervical Muscle Stiffness and Pain in Neck Pain
Sponsor: Erzurum Technical University
Summary
This randomized controlled trial investigates the acute effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on passive cervical muscle stiffness (MyotonPro "dynamic stiffness", N/m) and pain (0-10 VAS) in adults with chronic/mechanical neck pain. Participants will be allocated 1:1 to TENS or control/sham. Outcomes are measured immediately before and immediately after a single 15-minute session.
Official title: Acute Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Passive Muscle Stiffness and Pain in Patients With Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 50 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
24
Start Date
2025-09-23
Completion Date
2025-12-15
Last Updated
2025-11-24
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Conventional mode TENS, frequency \~80 Hz, pulse width ≤150 µs, duration 20 minutes. Intensity set to "strong but tolerable" without visible muscle contraction. Electrodes placed bilaterally over the most painful/stiff segments (e.g., upper trapezius midpoint along C7-acromion line; adjustments per comfort
Sham TENS
Electrodes applied at the same anatomical sites as the active arm. Device indicators remain on; intensity is ramped to perception briefly and then reduced to sub-sensory/zero so that no effective current is delivered for the remainder of the 20-minute session. Procedures and clinician-participant interactions mirror the active arm
Locations (1)
Erzurum Technical University Faculty of Health Sciences
Erzurum, Turkey (Türkiye)