Percutaneous High Frequency Alternating Current Stimulation in Healthy Volunteers

Percutaneous High Frequency Alternating Current Stimulation: Effects on Somatosensory and Motor Threshold in Healthy Volunteers

High-frequency alternating currents of greater than 1 kHz applied on peripheral nerves has been used in animal studies to produce a motor nerve block. It has been evidenced that frequencies higher than 5 kHz are necessary to produce a complete peripheral nerve block in primates, whose nerve thickness is more similar to humans.

Our previous studies with transcutaneous HFAC, suggest high-frequency stimulation (10 and 20 kHz) have an inhibitory effect over muscle strength and somatosensory threshold.

However, in these studies the intensity needed to reach block threshold is very high. The purpose of the present work is to reduce the amount of current intensity needed using a percutaneous approach by apply two acupuncture needles near the nerve as electrodes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy volunteers
• Ability to perform all clinical tests and understand the study process, as well as obtaining informed consent.
• Tolerance to the application of electrotherapy.
• That they have not diagnosed any pathology.
• They do not present a contraindication to puncture and / or the application of electric currents.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neuromuscular disease.
• Epilepsy.
• Trauma, surgery or pain affecting the upper limb
• 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