Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation in Healthy Subjects to Activate Central Pattern Generator

Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation in Healthy Subjects to Activate Central Pattern Generator: Double-blind, Randomised, Controlled Clinical Trial.

The purpose of this study is to determinate whether the application of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation produce changes in the excitability of alpha moto neurone in healthy volunteers. Moreover evidence whether the effect of the electric currents can increase muscle strength.

In the last years several experimental studies have evidenced that the transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) can evoque spinal reflex activity. The activation of propioceptive afferent would then activated motoneurons innervated at the same metameric and adjacent levels. The possibility of activating neural networks with non-invasive stimulation method opens a therapeutic window for the treatment of different neurological disorders. So the purpose of this study is quantify the modulation of the excitability of alpha motor neurone when the application of the current is in the central nervous system compared with a sham group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants will be volunteer healthy students of Physiotherapy, University of Castilla - La Mancha, older than 18 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neuromuscular disease.
• Epilepsy.
• Trauma, surgery or pain affecting the upper limb, shoulder girdle or lumbar área.
• Osteosynthesis material in the upper limb.
• Diabetes.
• Cancer.
• Cardiovascular disease.
• Pacemaker or other implanted electrical device.
• Take any drug (NSAIDs, corticosteroids, antidepressants, analgesics, antiepileptics, ...) during the study and in the previous 7 days.
• Presence of tattoos or other external agent introduced into the treatment or assessment area.
• Pregnancy.
• Sensitivity disturbance in lower limb.