Nerve signals may foretell pain relief: a new test for chronic arm pain?
NCT ID NCT07776431
First seen Aug 20, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study explores whether nerve conduction tests can predict how well patients with chronic neck-related arm pain respond to a treatment called pulsed radiofrequency. Adults aged 18 to 75 with pain lasting at least 3 months will have nerve tests before the procedure. Researchers will then compare pain, disability, quality of life, and mood between those with and without nerve damage evidence, to see if the tests can forecast treatment success.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Pulsed radiofrequency treatment to the dorsal root ganglion, with pre-procedure nerve conduction studies (electromyography and nerve conduction study) used as a predictive test.
- What this could lead to
- If nerve tests predict who benefits, doctors could better select patients for this procedure, improving outcomes and avoiding unnecessary treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small observational study, so results may not apply broadly. The predictive value of nerve tests is uncertain, and the procedure itself carries risks like pain or nerve damage.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
-
20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Apr 2025
- Expected to finish
-
Nov 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The study population consists of adults aged 18 to 75 years with unilateral chronic cervical radicular pain lasting at least 3 months due to cervical disc herniation and/or spinal stenosis. Eligible participants have persistent symptoms despite conservative treatments and are already scheduled to undergo cervical dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment as part of routine clinical care. Before treatment, all participants undergo electromyography and nerve conduction studies and are classified according to the presence or absence of electrophysiological evidence of cervical radiculopathy.
- Ages
-
18 to 75 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Age between 18 and 75 years Presence of cervical disc herniation and/or spinal stenosis Unilateral cervical radicular pain radiating to the arm for at least 3 months, confirmed by clinical evaluation, physical examination, and radiological imaging Inadequate response to conservative treatments, including physical therapy, medical treatment, and/or epidural steroid injection Exclusion Criteria: History of cervical spine surgery Presence of myelopathy Predominantly axial neck pain Active infection Vertebral fracture Coagulation disorder Presence of a cardiac pacemaker Refusal or inability to provide informed consent
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Chronic cervical radicular pain are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital
Istanbul, Pendik, 34899, Turkey (Türkiye)