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High-frequency Alternating Current Stimulation for Neurophatic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury
Sponsor: University of Castilla-La Mancha
Summary
To investigate the safety and effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical stimulation with 40 kHz alternating currents combined with standard treatment compared to placebo electrical stimulation plus standard treatment for neuropathic pain in people with spinal cord injury.
Official title: Effectiveness and Safety of Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation With 40 kHz Alternating Currents in People With Spinal Cord Injury and Neuropathic Pain. A Randomised, Double-blind, Parallel Pilot Study With Placebo Control
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2026-01-30
Completion Date
2026-03-31
Last Updated
2026-02-25
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Active group 40 kHz
For experimental electrical stimulation, two stainless steel electrodes with conductive gel will be applied over the bilateral spinal roots with a separation between electrodes of at least 2 cm and a distance between the medial edge of each electrode and the spinous process of at least 1 cm. The upper third of the electrode will be placed above the level of spinal cord injury where the participant will have preserved sensitivity, and the remaining two thirds in the lesion and/or infralesional area. An unmodulated rectangular alternating or biphasic electrical current with a frequency of 40 kHz will be applied. The intensity of the current will be adjusted individually, increasing it until the participant reports a sensation of 'strong but comfortable tingling' just below the motor threshold. Every two minutes, the intensity of the current will be adjusted if the tingling sensation decreases. The electrical current will be applied for 20 minutes in two 10-minute phases.
Sham intervention
Placebo stimulation will be performed using the same electrical current device, the same electrode placement, and the same stimulation parameters as in the experimental stimulation, but the current intensity will be increased only during the initial 30 initial seconds and the final 30 seconds of the session, with the current intensity set to 0 mA for the rest of the intervention (20 minutes).
Locations (1)
Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos
Toledo, Spain