NCT07269925

Impact of Different Electrical Frequencies Used in Percutaneous Neuromodulation on Muscle Strength and Pressure Pain Thresholds

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universidad Complutense de Madrid · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) involves delivering electrical currents through fine filiform needles inserted near tissues such as muscles, ligaments, or nerves. It has been explored for various chronic pain conditions affecting the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as the upper and lower limbs. Despite its growing clinical use, the overall quality of evidence supporting PENS for chronic musculoskeletal pain remains limited. Most studies have applied the technique directly over nerve structures, and while some reviews have shown greater pain reduction compared to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), the superiority of PENS has not been conclusively demonstrated. Research specifically examining its application on nerve tissues, particularly in the upper limbs, remains scarce. Some preliminary and single-case studies have reported improvements in pain and disability following PENS directed at the radial nerve, but these findings are limited by small sample sizes and the absence of control groups. The physiological mechanisms underlying PENS are still not fully understood, though both peripheral and central processes are believed to be involved. Evidence suggests that PENS can reduce local sensitivity to pressure pain through peripheral mechanisms and may also enhance descending inhibitory control by activating conditioned pain modulation at the central level. However, further studies are necessary to clarify these effects. Since to date, limited research has specifically examined the optimal PENS dosage, the present study aimed to compare two PENS dosage for improving muscle strength and pain pressure thresholds.

Conditions

• Shoulder Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: High frequency	A single PENS session will be applied under ultrasound guidance using sterile, single-use filiform needles placed in the suprascapular and axillary nerves and connected to an electrostimulator APSe4 (Agupunt, Barcelona). Dosage will be: 100 Hz frequency, 250 µs pulse width, 5-second stimulation followed by 55-second rest, repeated five times
OTHER	Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: Low frequency	A single PENS session will be applied under ultrasound guidance using sterile, single-use filiform needles placed in the suprascapular and axillary nerves and connected to an electrostimulator APSe4 (Agupunt, Barcelona). Dosage will be: 2 Hz frequency, 250 µs pulse width, 10 minutes duration, with an intensity (mA) sufficient to elicit a visible motor response while remaining comfortable for the patient.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-15
• Primary completion: 2026-06-30
• Completion: 2026-07-30
• First posted: 2025-12-08
• Last updated: 2025-12-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Poland