Eco-guided Neuromodulation of the Femoral Nerve on the Performance of Amateur Athletes. | NCT07719179

NCT07719179

Overview

NCT ID: NCT07719179
Lead Sponsor: Universitat Internacional de CatalunyaOTHER
Official Title: Effectiveness of Eco-guided Neuromodulation of the Femoral Nerve on the Performance of Amateur Athletes. Randomized Controlled Crossover Clinical Trial
Brief Summary: This randomized crossover study aims to evaluate whether different percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) protocols produce changes in neuromuscular performance in healthy adults. PENS involves the ultrasound-guided application of an electrical current through a needle to modulate motor neuron excitability. Each participant will undergo five intervention sessions: (1) a long-term potentiation (LTP)-based protocol with impulse trains, (2) a 10 Hz protocol with 10 s stimulation and 10 s rest repeated ten times, (3) a 5-55 protocol with 100 Hz stimulation for 5 s followed by 55 s rest repeated five times, (4) a high-intensity burst (HIB) protocol applied at a high current intensity close to 1000 mA and repeated three times, and (5) a placebo condition. All interventions will be applied bilaterally by an experienced physiotherapist under ultrasound guidance, with a two-week washout between sessions. The objective of this trial is to assess whether these stimulation patterns produce measurable changes in squat execution velocity, jump performance, and quadriceps strength. The findings may help identify the most effective stimulation strategy for enhancing neuromuscular performance.

Status and Timeline

Status: Recruiting
Last Update Posted: Jul 22, 2026Actual
Start Date: Sep 1, 2026Estimated
Primary Completion Date: Sep 30, 2026Estimated
Completion Date

Participation Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study: Adult (18-64)
Sexes Eligible for Study: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Yes
Eligibility Criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

Athletes aged between 18 and 30 years.

Familiarized with performing barbell back squats using an Olympic bar.

Engaged in regular training at least three times per week during the last six months.

Able to perform squat and jump tests safely.

Provided written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

Sports injury within the last two months or current inability to perform physical activity.

Inability to understand or follow the instructions provided by the therapist.

Participation in another research study during the same period.

Belonephobia (fear of needles).

Ongoing medical or pharmacological treatment that could interfere with neuromuscular performance (e.g., anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or similar medications).

Study Plan

Study Type: Interventional
Phase: Not Applicable
Enrollment: 23Estimated
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double

Contacts and Locations

Central Contacts: Jacobo Rodríguez Sanz, PhDContact
jrodriguezs@uic.es+34 636-136-789

Similar Studies

Participant Group/Arms

Theta Burst ProtocolExperimental

The intervention consists of the bilateral, ultrasound-guided insertion of a needle for percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS), following a theta-burst pattern designed to produce long-term potentiation-like effects. An asymmetric biphasic compensated current with a rectangular positive phase and a triangular negative phase is applied at a frequency of 100 Hz for 5 seconds, followed by 55 seconds of rest, repeated five times. The pulse width is 240 µs, and the intensity is maintained above the motor threshold and below the pain threshold.

Device: Theta Burst Protocol

10-10-10 ProtocolExperimental

The intervention consists of the bilateral, ultrasound-guided insertion of a needle for percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS). An asymmetric biphasic compensated current is applied, with a rectangular positive phase and a triangular negative phase, at a frequency of 10 Hz, pulse width of 240 µs, and an intensity above the motor threshold and below the pain threshold. Each stimulation period lasts 10 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated ten times.

Device: 10-10-10 Protocol

5-55 ProtocolExperimental

Ultrasound-guided PENS protocol applying a 100 Hz stimulation for 5 s followed by 55 s of rest, repeated five times. The intensity is adjusted to a tolerable tingling sensation, below the pain threshold.

Device: 5-55 Protocol

HIB Protocol (High-Intensity Burst)Experimental

Ultrasound-guided PENS protocol consisting of high-intensity bursts applied bilaterally at a current intensity close to 1000 mA, repeated three times. The intensity is set individually, approaching but not exceeding the participant's tolerance threshold.

Device: High-Intensity Burst (HIB) Protocol

PlaceboSham Comparator

Ultrasound-guided needle insertion at the same anatomical location without electrical stimulation. The device is manipulated to simulate treatment, but no current is delivered.

Device: Placebo