Cervical/Thoracic Neuromodulation and Nociceptive Processing

Investigating the Effects of the Neuromodulation of the Cervical and the Low-thoracic Spinal Cord on Nociceptive Processing in Healthy Volunteers - an Randomized, Sham-controlled, Double-blinded Study

Several studies have demonstrated that direct currents delivered through the skin at the level of the low-thoracic spinal cord can influence spinal cord function. In human volunteers, anodal low-thoracic transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) alters spinal processing of nociceptive inputs. Whether cervical tsDCS is able to do the same is less well known. In this double-blinded, sham-controlled and cross-over trial, the investigators will compare the effects on the nociceptive processing of healthy volunteers of cervical and low-thoracic tsDCS.

The investigators will compare the effects on the nociceptive processing of healthy volunteers of cervical and low-thoracic tsDCS. This study will be a double-blinded, sham-controlled, cross-over trial. Each participant will undergo three experimental sessions (anodal cervical tsDCS and sham thoracic tsDCS vs. sham cervical tsDCS and anodal thoracic tsDCS vs. sham cervical tsDCS and sham thoracic tsDCS), separated by at least one week.

Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy young adults

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, neuropathy, psychiatric disorders, seizure, migraine, pacemaker or other implanted medical devices...)
• Use of any medication (except contraception)