The acute effect of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on postural control

ISRCTN ISRCTN17765352
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17765352
Submission date
30/11/2024
Registration date
13/12/2024
Last edited
22/08/2025
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
This study aims to explore how stimulating a specific nerve in the leg (the posterior tibial nerve) affects balance in healthy young men. The goal is to see if this technique can improve postural control, which is important for maintaining stability and preventing falls.

Who can participate?
Healthy young men aged 18 to 35 years who are physically active and do not have any neurological, musculoskeletal, or cardiovascular disorders that could affect their balance.

What does the study involve?
Participants will be divided into three groups:
PTNS intervention group: This group will receive electrical stimulation to the posterior tibial nerve using a small needle and a certified medical device.
SHAM group: This group will have a needle inserted, but no electrical stimulation will be applied.
Control group: This group will only undergo balance tests without any needle insertion or stimulation.
Balance will be tested by having participants stand on one leg with their hands on their hips, both with their eyes open and closed. These tests will be repeated immediately after the intervention, and then at 2 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours later.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The main benefit is contributing to research that could improve treatments for balance disorders. Risks are minimal but may include mild numbness or small bruises at the needle site, which should go away in a few days.

Where is the study run from?
Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU (Spain)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2024 to January 2025

Who is funding the study?
Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU (Spain)

Who is the main contact?
Miguel Rodríguez Rosal, mrodriguezr@ceu.es

Contact information

Mr Miguel Rodriguez Rosal
Public, Scientific, Principal Investigator

Glorieta Ángel Herrera Oria, s/n
Bormujos/ Sevilla
41930
Spain

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-7816-1654
Phone +34 954 48 80 00
Email mrodriguezr@ceu.es

Study information

Study designProspective randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)University/medical school/dental school
Study typePrevention, Quality of life, Treatment, Efficacy
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleThe acute effect of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on postural control: a randomized controlled trial
Study objectivesWe hypothesize that percutaneous neuromodulation of the posterior tibial nerve will have an acute effect on postural control in healthy subjects. Specifically, we expect that this intervention will lead to improvements in postural control compared to baseline measures.
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 02/09/2024, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities (Glorieta Ángel Herrera Oria, s/n, Bormujos/ Sevilla, 41930, Spain; +34 954 48 80 00; investigacion@ceuandalucia.es), ref: -

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPostural control
InterventionParticipants were randomly and equally assigned to each group using a 1:1:1 design via the Random.org program. The therapist was informed only through sealed envelopes.

Group Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS)
Participants in the PTNS group will receive the PTNS intervention, which will involve the application of a biphasic electrical current (10 Hz frequency, 250 μs pulse width) at the maximum tolerable intensity for 1.5 minutes, sufficient to induce a visible muscle contraction. A certified medical device (Physio Invasiva; PRIM Physio®, Madrid, Spain) will be used for this procedure.

Participants will be positioned prone with their feet hanging off the edge of the treatment table. The posterior tibial nerve will be located using an ultrasound machine (Logic; GE Healthcare, Chicago, IL, USA) for the insertion of a needle (0.30 mm x 40 mm). Prior to insertion, the skin surface will be cleaned with alcohol. The procedure will be performed by a physiotherapist with 8 years of experience in invasive physiotherapy.

Group SHAM
In the SHAM group, a puncture will be performed with a needle (0.30 mm × 40 mm) following the same methodology as in the PTNS group. A "nonacupoint deep puncture" technique will be employed to create the sensation of needle insertion without applying electrical current. The same timing and procedural techniques described for the PTNS group will be maintained.

Group CON
In the control group, no intervention will be performed

For the intervention groups, a single session was conducted, and the acute effect was followed up. All measurements were repeated before and immediately after the intervention, as well as at 2, 24, and 48 hours.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measurePostural control will be measured using a force platform (Accupower; AMTI, Watertown, MA, USA) with a sampling frequency of 1000 Hz. Participants will stand on one leg, with their hands on their hips and their gaze fixed on a point 2 meters away. The tests will be conducted with eyes open and closed. For each condition, three attempts will be made. Each test will last 30 seconds, followed by a 1-minute rest period.
The displacement of the center of pressure will be analyzed using linear variables: total center of pressure displacement (DOT) and the total length of its path; total displacement area (Area); mediolateral displacement (Displ_ML) and anteroposterior displacement (Displ_AP); and the amplitude of the center of pressure in the mediolateral (Ampl_ML) and anteroposterior (Ampl_AP) directions, defined as the distance between the minimum and maximum values.
1. Variable DOT measured using force platform at baseline, 0, 2, 24 and 48 h
2. Variable Area measured using force platform at baseline, 0, 2, 24 and 48 h
3. Variable Displ_ML measured using force platform at baseline, 0, 2, 24 and 48 h
4. Variable Displ_AP measured using force platform at baseline, 0, 2, 24 and 48 h
5. Variable Ampl_ML measured using force platform at baseline, 0, 2, 24 and 48 h
5. Variable Ampl_AP measured using force platform at baseline, 0, 2, 24 and 48 h
Secondary outcome measuresThere are no secondary outcome measures
Overall study start date02/09/2024
Completion date15/01/2025

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer, Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit35 Years
SexMale
Target number of participantsThe required sample size to detect a medium effect was calculated to be at least 39 participants for inclusion in a multifactorial ANOVA with repeated measures and three intervention groups
Key inclusion criteria1. Healthy young adults
2. Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week (or the equivalent in vigorous activity), or at least 20 minutes per week of vigorous physical activity
Key exclusion criteria1. An injury affecting balance in one limb within the past year that prevented participation in sports for at least 1 day
2. A Personal Psychological Apprehension Scale (EPPAS) score >37.5
3. Commonly accepted contraindications for invasive physiotherapy techniques, including chronic joint disease, surgery, prosthetics, or osteosynthesis in the intervention area, as well as cardiac diseases, neoplasms, coagulopathies, and the use of certain medications
4. Any contraindication to the puncture itself
5. Epilepsy
Date of first enrolment16/12/2024
Date of final enrolment12/02/2025

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Spain

Study participating centre

Universidad CEU Fernando III, CEU U
Glorieta Ángel Herrera Oria, s/n
Bormujos/Sevilla
41930
Spain

Sponsor information

Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU
University/education

Glorieta Ángel Herrera Oria, s/n
Bormujos/ Sevilla
41930
Spain

Phone +34 954 48 80 00
Email investigacion@ceuandalucia.es
Website https://www.uspceu.com
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04a0dbe36

Funders

Funder type

University/education

Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU
Private sector organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
Alternative name(s)
San Pablo CEU University Foundation, CEU San Pablo University Foundation, Centro de Estudios Universitarios, FUSP-CEU, CEU
Location
Spain

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/01/2025
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be available upon request
mrodriguezr@ceu.es

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Other files 11/12/2024 No No
Results article 21/08/2025 22/08/2025 Yes No

Additional files

46495_InformedConsent.pdf

Editorial Notes

22/08/2025: Publication reference added.
19/03/2025: The following changes were made:
1. The recruitment start date was changed from 01/11/2024 to 16/12/2024.
2. The recruitment end date was changed from 15/12/2024 to 12/02/2025.
13/12/2024: Contact details updated.
02/12/2024: Trial's existence confirmed by Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities.