Multi-Omics Characterization of Percutaneous Electrolysis in Low Back Pain

NCT07524010 · Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 20

Last updated 2026-05-04

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Low back pain is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal condition and is frequently associated with structural and functional alterations of the lumbar multifidus muscle. Percutaneous electrolysis is an ultrasound-guided invasive physiotherapy technique increasingly used in the management of musculoskeletal pain; however, its underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood.

The aim of this study is to investigate the biochemical and molecular effects of percutaneous electrolysis applied to the lumbar multifidus muscle in patients with low back pain. A multidisciplinary, blood-based multi-omics approach will be used to explore systemic biochemical changes induced by the intervention.

In this preliminary controlled study, blood samples will be collected from participants before and after treatment and analyzed using proteomic and lipidomic techniques. Multivariate statistical and bioinformatic analyses will be performed to identify proteins, lipids, and metabolic pathways that are significantly modulated by percutaneous electrolysis compared with a control procedure.

The results of this study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of action of percutaneous electrolysis and to support the identification of potential blood biomarkers associated with its therapeutic effects in low back pain.

Conditions

  • Low Back Pain

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Percutaneous electrolysis

Participants assigned to this arm will receive ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrolysis applied to the lumbar multifidus muscle. After baseline blood sample collection, a fine needle will be inserted into the target muscle under ultrasound guidance and connected to a medical device delivering a low-intensity galvanic current. The intervention consists of multiple stimulation cycles separated by short rest periods. A post-treatment blood sample will be collected after a predefined time interval to assess biochemical changes induced by the intervention.

PROCEDURE

Sham

Participants assigned to this arm will undergo a sham procedure designed to mimic the experimental intervention. The procedure includes the same positioning, ultrasound guidance, needle insertion, and duration as the experimental arm; however, no electrical current will be delivered. Blood samples will be collected at the same pre- and post-procedure time points as in the experimental arm. This control condition is used to account for nonspecific effects related to needling and the procedural context. \-

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Universidad Europea de Madrid

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-05-20
Primary Completion
2026-06-20
Completion
2026-07-21

Countries

  • Italy

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07524010 on ClinicalTrials.gov