Rodríguez-Rosal Miguel, Sánchez-Sixto Alberto, Álvarez-Barbosa Francisco, de Hoyo Lora Moisés
Universidad CEU Fernando III, CEU Universities, Seville, Spain.
Physical Education and Sport Department, Education Sciences Faculty, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.
Physiother Res Int. 2025 Oct;30(4):e70099. doi: 10.1002/pri.70099.
Ankle sprains are common severe injuries leading to changes in muscular activity and postural control impairments. Postural control integrates neural components, including cognitive processing. Due to its relevance, neuromodulation techniques such as percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) have gained attention for improving balance, proprioception, and stability. However, the effects of PTNS on postural control remain insufficiently investigated. This study evaluated the acute effects of PTNS on postural control in healthy individuals.
Ninety-four healthy participants (mean age 22.85 ± 5.02 years, BMI 23.8 ± 3.52) were recruited. Baseline postural control assessments were conducted, followed by random assignment to three groups: (1) PTNS (EXP), (2) sham (SHAM), and (3) control (CON). The EXP group received biphasic electrical stimulation (10 Hz, 250 μs, maximum tolerable intensity for 1.5 min). Postural control was measured using a force platform at baseline, and 0, 2, 24, and 48 h post-intervention. Participants performed two single-leg stance tests with eyes open and closed. Center of pressure (CoP) displacement and anteroposterior (Ampl_AP) and mediolateral (Ampl_ML) amplitudes were analyzed.
Both the EXP and SHAM groups showed significant reductions in the CoP displacement area with eyes closed at 24 and 48 h post-intervention compared to baseline. The SHAM group also exhibited significant reductions in Ampl_AP at these time points. No significant changes were observed in the control group.
Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) improves single-leg postural control with eyes closed at 24 and 48 h, similar to sham (SHAM). No significant differences were observed between groups.
ISRCTN177653522.
踝关节扭伤是常见的严重损伤，会导致肌肉活动变化和姿势控制受损。姿势控制整合了神经成分，包括认知加工。由于其相关性，诸如经皮胫神经刺激（PTNS）等神经调节技术已受到关注，用于改善平衡、本体感觉和稳定性。然而，PTNS对姿势控制的影响仍未得到充分研究。本研究评估了PTNS对健康个体姿势控制的急性影响。
招募了94名健康参与者（平均年龄22.85±5.02岁，体重指数23.8±3.52）。进行了基线姿势控制评估，随后随机分为三组：（1）PTNS组（EXP），（2）假刺激组（SHAM），（3）对照组（CON）。EXP组接受双相电刺激（10Hz，250μs，最大耐受强度，持续1.5分钟）。在基线以及干预后0、2、24和48小时，使用测力平台测量姿势控制。参与者进行了两次单腿站立测试，分别睁眼和闭眼。分析了压力中心（CoP）位移以及前后（Ampl_AP）和内外侧（Ampl_ML）幅度。
与基线相比，EXP组和SHAM组在干预后24和48小时闭眼时CoP位移面积均显著减小。SHAM组在这些时间点的Ampl_AP也显著降低。对照组未观察到显著变化。
经皮胫神经刺激（PTNS）在24和48小时可改善闭眼单腿姿势控制，与假刺激（SHAM）相似。组间未观察到显著差异。
ISRCTN177653522。
