The objective is obtaining insight in the cortical processing of the two stimulus modes of the bimodal electrode. This will be achieved by applying various types of stimuli to the subjects using the bimodal electrode while recording subjective…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
Chronische Pijn
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Sensation threshold for both stimulus modes, subjective reports concerning
intensity (weak/strong) and quality (dull/sharp), EP peak amplitudes and the
difference of these parameters per person measured at two insances of time.
Secondary outcome
Not appicable
Background summary
To enable understanding of the mechanisms leading to the development of chronic
pain, it is usefull to be able to study the processing of pain and touch
sensations both independently and coherently. For this purpose a bimodal
electrode was developed which facilitates preferential stimulation of Aδ fibers
(scharp, slightly painfull sensation) and Aβ fibers (sensation of touch or
pressure) in the skin through cutaneous electric stimulation. Except for a
small a pilot study, this stimulation method has not been studied in enough
detail to allow application in pain research.
Study objective
The objective is obtaining insight in the cortical processing of the two
stimulus modes of the bimodal electrode. This will be achieved by applying
various types of stimuli to the subjects using the bimodal electrode while
recording subjective reports and Evoked Potentials (EP's). The sensation
threshold for the two stimulus modes will be determined as well. Our last
objective is studying how well the previous parameters reproduce for each
subject.
Study design
Two-way repeated measures design
Study burden and risks
Measurements will be performed on subjects on two separate days for two hours.
Some stimuli will locally induce a slightly painfull sensation. The electrodes
contain pointy electrodes, which protrude several tenths of millimeters into
the epidermis. Generally, these electrodes will not protrude deeper than the
stratum corneum. In some case they might go deeper, causing very minor tissue
damage. Therefore the bimodal electrode will be sterilised before each session
just by heating it at 180 degrees centrigrade for three hours. The epidermis
does not contain blood vessels and therefore we don't expect any bleeding.
Because the simulus current is very weak (less than 10 mA) and stimulus and
ground electrodes will be attached to the same arm, risks are negligible.
While the stimuli are being applied, EEG of the subjects will be recorded using
a 64 electrode cap, comparable to equipment which is used for everyday clinical
EEG measurements. The subjects will also be asked to rate the stimulus
intensities and qualities using Visual Analog Scales (VAS) which will be
presented using a computer.
P.O. Box 217
7500 AE Enschede
Nederland
P.O. Box 217
7500 AE Enschede
Nederland
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
Right-handedness
Age 18 - 30 yrs
Exclusion criteria
Pain complaints for more than 1 week during previous 3 months
Pain complaints during the experiments
Psychotropic medication
Skin disease on upper extremity
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL16300.080.07 |