Acute Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation at Acupoints on Nociceptive Transmission: A Mechanism Study Using Pain-Related Evoked Potentials
China Medical University Hospital
35 participants
Nov 25, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied to acupoints can modulate pain transmission and cortical processing in healthy adult volunteers. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does TENS at Zhongzhu (SJ3) and Hegu (LI4) change pain-related evoked potentials (PREPs)? * Does acupoint electrical stimulation alter nociceptive pathways reflected by PREP waveform modulation? Researchers will compare PREPs recorded before and after TENS at the two acupoints to see if TENS produces measurable effects on cortical nociceptive responses. Participants will receive low-frequency TENS applied to Zhongzhu (SJ3) and Hegu (LI4), and undergo PREP assessments before and after the intervention to measure cortical responses to standardized noxious stimuli.
Eligibility
Exclusion Criteria1
- Participants with a history of malignant tumors, hand disorders, implanted cardiac pacemakers, pregnancy, epilepsy, or any other condition that may interfere with the study procedures will be excluded from the study.
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Interventions
TENS was applied to the acupoints Zhongzhu (SJ3) and Hegu (LI4) using surface electrodes. Low-frequency electrical currents were delivered at an intensity that was comfortable but perceptible, without causing muscle contraction. Each session lasted 20 minutes, during which participants remained seated and relaxed, and electrode placement and stimulation parameters were monitored for safety and consistency.
EEG signals were recorded using the Neuro-MEP4 system. The device captures cortical electrical activity with high temporal resolution and is suitable for measuring pain-related evoked potentials (PREPs). Standard electrode placement and recording protocols were followed, and signal quality was checked before each session to ensure reliable data collection.
Locations(1)
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NCT07267052