Shingles nerve block shows promise in preventing chronic pain

NCT ID NCT07349680

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Assiut University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether an ultrasound-guided nerve block, using a steroid and local anesthetic, could better control pain from shingles and prevent postherpetic neuralgia (long-term nerve pain). 100 adults with acute shingles and moderate to severe pain were randomly assigned to receive either standard medication alone or standard medication plus the nerve block. The main goal was to see how many patients still had significant pain 90 days after the rash started.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: bupivacaine and methylprednisolone
What this could lead to: If successful, this nerve block could become a standard add-on treatment to reduce severe shingles pain and lower the chance of developing long-term nerve pain.
What could go wrong: This is a single, completed study with 100 participants. The results may not apply to everyone, and nerve blocks carry risks like infection or bleeding.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ACUTE HERPES ZOSTER are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

herpes zoster Neuralgia, Postherpetic postherpetic neuralgia prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

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

POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Marwa Mahmoud Rady

Asyut, 1987, Egypt

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.