Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Transcutaneous Radiofrequency in Postherpetic Neuralgia
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18-80
SponsorDiskapi Teaching and Research Hospital
About this trial
This observational study aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block and transcutaneous radiofrequency (RF) treatment in patients with postherpetic neuralgia. Pain intensity and neuropathic pain characteristics will be evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Self-Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) score.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
None
Disqualifiers
None
Trial population
Patients aged 18 to 80 years diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia involving cervical, thoracic, or lumbar dermatomes who underwent either ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block or transcutaneous radiofrequency treatment as part of routine clinical care. Patients were included if they had persistent pain despite conservative treatment and a baseline Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score greater than 5. All treatments were completed prior to study enrollment, and no changes were made to clinical management for research purposes.
Trial design
Design model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
Erector Spinae Plane Block
Procedure/Surgery1. Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block performed under sterile conditions as part of routine clinical care. After skin antisepsis, a 22-G spinal needle was advanced to the erector spinae plane at the level corresponding to the affected dermatome, and a total volume of 10 mL consisting of dexamethasone, bupivacaine, and normal saline was injected. Patients were observed post-procedure according to standard clinical practice. 2. Transcutaneous radiofrequency treatment applied adjacent to the affected dermatome as part of routine clinical care. Adhesive surface electrodes were placed over the painful area, and pulsed electrical stimulation was delivered by the device for 10 minutes per session. The procedure was performed once weekly for two sessions, without any modification for research purposes.
Treatment groups
50 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Erector Spinae Plane Block1 intervention
Group B: Transcutaneous Radiofrequency1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
VAS
Pain intensity assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS): is a simple tool used in clinical trials to measure pain intensity. Patients rate their pain on a scale, typically from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). It provides a quick, quantitative assessment of subjective pain and is commonly used to evaluate treatment effectiveness before and after intervention.
Time frame
Baseline, post-procedure 1 monthSecondary outcomes
1
S-LANSS
Neuropathic pain characteristics were assessed using the Self-report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) questionnaire. The S-LANSS is a validated self-administered screening tool consisting of seven items evaluating pain quality and sensory abnormalities, including burning sensation, electric shock-like pain, dysesthesia, and altered skin sensitivity. Total scores range from 0 to 24, with scores ≥12 indicating a probable neuropathic pain component. The questionnaire has demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity for identifying neuropathic pain in both clinical and research settings.
Time frame
Baseline, post-procedure 1 monthSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov