Greater Occipital Nerve Block Alone Versus Dual Nerve Block in Cervicogenic Headache and Occipital Neuralgia

NCT07068451 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: N/2020-31
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 160
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study looked at two types of nerve block injections used to treat people with cervicogenic headache (CEH) and occipital neuralgia (ON)-two painful conditions that often cause pain at the back of the head and neck. The injections target nerves in the upper neck that may be causing the pain. The researchers compared: One nerve injection (greater occipital nerve block, or GONB), versus Two nerve injections (GONB plus lesser occipital nerve block, or LONB).

Conditions

Ervicogenic Headache (CEH); Occipital Neuralgia (ON)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  ain intensity was assessed using a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating the worst pain imaginable. VAS scores were recorded at baseline and follow-up visits.

  Baseline, 24 hours, 3 weeks, and 3 months post-intervention

Study Arms (2)

GONB Alone

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients received a single injection of 1 mL of 2% lidocaine at the greater occipital nerve using a landmark-guided technique.

Procedure: Greater Occipital Nerve Block (GONB)

GONB + LONB (Dual Block)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients receive two injections of 1 mL of 2% lidocaine each at the greater and lesser occipital nerves using a landmark-guided technique.

Procedure: Combined Greater and Lesser Occipital Nerve Block (GONB + LONB)

Interventions

Greater Occipital Nerve Block (GONB) PROCEDURE

A landmark-guided injection of 1 mL of 2% lidocaine administered at the anatomical location of the greater occipital nerve (GON) to treat cervicogenic headache and occipital neuralgia. Performed without corticosteroids or imaging guidance.

Also known as: Drug: Lidocaine 2%

GONB Alone

Combined Greater and Lesser Occipital Nerve Block (GONB + LONB) PROCEDURE

Two landmark-guided injections of 1 mL of 2% lidocaine each at the anatomical locations of the greater and lesser occipital nerves. Performed without corticosteroids or imaging, targeting broader nerve involvement in cervicogenic headache and occipital neuralgia.

Also known as: Drug: Lidocaine 2%

GONB + LONB (Dual Block)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may not qualify if:

• Previous nerve block or other interventional procedures for headache
• Use of systemic corticosteroids within the past 3 months
• Known allergy to lidocaine or other amide-type local anesthetics
• Evidence of secondary causes of headache on imaging (e.g., tumor, infection)
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Active infection at the injection site
• Coagulopathy or use of anticoagulant therapy
• Significant psychiatric or neurological comorbidities interfering with study participation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tishreen University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Latakia

Latakia, Syria

Location

Related Links

• Related Info

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 26, 2025
• First Posted: July 16, 2025
• Study Start: January 1, 2020
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2023
• Study Completion: April 1, 2023
• Last Updated: July 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SY (1)