Table 1 Key practical aspects of the study with all the clinical visits and the requested exams

Weeks

−1

1

2

3

4

Informed consent

X

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

X

X

Medical history

X

Medical evaluation/physical examination (BP measure)

X

X

X

X

X

Randomization

X

Application of TENS (3x/week)

X

X

X

X

Creatinine

X

X

Fasting glucose

X

X

Glycated hemoglobin

X

X

Potassium

X

X

Uric acid

X

X

Insulin

X

X

Total cholesterol

X

X

HDL-c

X

X

Triglycerides

X

X

Urinary sodium

X

X

Urinary potassium

X

X

Microalbuminuria

X

X

GFR estimation

X

X

Specific biochemistry tests

X

X

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

X

X

24-h electrocardiographic monitoring

X

X

Evaluation of sympathetic activity

X

X

Evaluation of endothelial function

X

X

Evaluation of arterial stiffness

X

X