Can we predict who gets pain relief from nerve zapping?
NCT ID NCT07367152
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study reviewed medical records of 60 adults who had radiofrequency treatment for intercostal neuralgia, a type of nerve pain in the chest wall. The goal was to find out which patient or clinical factors are linked to better pain relief after the procedure. Researchers measured success by a 50% or greater reduction in pain scores at 6 months. No new treatments or visits were involved—only existing data was analyzed.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Intercostal nerve radiofrequency (conventional or pulsed)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help doctors identify which patients are most likely to benefit from radiofrequency treatment for nerve pain in the chest wall.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, retrospective study that only looks at past records, so it cannot prove cause and effect. Results may not apply to all patients.
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
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60 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2018
- Finished
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Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
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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
Adults (≥18 years) with intercostal neuralgia who underwent ultrasound-guided intercostal nerve radiofrequency treatment (conventional or pulsed) in routine clinical care and had documented baseline and at least 6-month follow-up NRS-11 pain scores.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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 ≥ 18 years. * Diagnosis of intercostal neuralgia (post-traumatic, postherpetic, or idiopathic) with thoracic neuropathic pain for at least 1 month * Underwent ultrasound-guided intercostal nerve radiofrequency treatment (conventional radiofrequency ablation \[CRF\] or pulsed radiofrequency \[PRF\]) as part of routine clinical care * Documented baseline NRS-11 pain score prior to the procedure and follow-up NRS-11 data available through at least 6 months after treatment. Exclusion Criteria: * Thoracic pain attributable to malignancy-related causes (e.g., active malignant invasion, spinal metastasis) or an intrathoracic mass * History of thoracic surgery at the corresponding thoracic dermatome level (e.g., thoracotomy or VATS) * Prior radiofrequency treatment at the same intercostal nerve site * Receipt of other interventional treatments targeting the intercostal nerve during the study period (e.g., cryoablation or chemical neurolysis) * Insufficient follow-up data (less than 6 months of follow-up NRS-11 documentation).
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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
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Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Algology
Mersin, Mersin, 33110, Turkey (Türkiye)
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