Freeze or fry? new study pits cold therapy against heat for back pain relief

NCT ID NCT07214844

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study compares two treatments for chronic low back pain: one uses cold (cryoneurolysis) to numb nerves, the other uses heat (radiofrequency ablation). About 110 adults with long-term back pain will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Researchers will track pain levels and daily function for 12 months to see which approach provides better relief.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

cryoneurolysis (cold therapy) and radiofrequency ablation (heat therapy)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that cold therapy is a better option than heat for managing long-term low back pain, potentially offering longer relief with fewer side effects.

What could go wrong

This is a single-center study with 110 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Both treatments are temporary and pain may return over time.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome Low Back Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Montefiore Multidisciplinary Pain Program

    RECRUITING

    The Bronx, New York, 10461, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••