Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Transcutaneous Radiofrequency in Postherpetic Neuralgia

NCT07400640 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: ESP Block & Transcutaneous PRF
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This observational study aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block and transcutaneous radiofrequency (RF) treatment in patients with postherpetic neuralgia. Pain intensity and neuropathic pain characteristics will be evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Self-Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) score.

Conditions

Postherpetic Neuralgia; Neuropathic Pain; Herpes Zoster

Keywords

postherpetic neuralgia, esp block, transcutaneous rf

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• VAS

  Pain intensity assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS): is a simple tool used in clinical trials to measure pain intensity. Patients rate their pain on a scale, typically from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). It provides a quick, quantitative assessment of subjective pain and is commonly used to evaluate treatment effectiveness before and after intervention.

  Baseline, post-procedure 1 month

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• S-LANSS

  Baseline, post-procedure 1 month

Study Arms (2)

Erector Spinae Plane Block

Patients with postherpetic neuralgia who received ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block as part of routine clinical care.

Procedure: Erector Spinae Plane Block

Transcutaneous Radiofrequency

Patients with postherpetic neuralgia who received transcutaneous radiofrequency treatment applied adjacent to the lesion area as part of routine clinical care

Procedure: Erector Spinae Plane Block

Interventions

Erector Spinae Plane Block PROCEDURE

1. Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block performed under sterile conditions as part of routine clinical care. After skin antisepsis, a 22-G spinal needle was advanced to the erector spinae plane at the level corresponding to the affected dermatome, and a total volume of 10 mL consisting of dexamethasone, bupivacaine, and normal saline was injected. Patients were observed post-procedure according to standard clinical practice. 2. Transcutaneous radiofrequency treatment applied adjacent to the affected dermatome as part of routine clinical care. Adhesive surface electrodes were placed over the painful area, and pulsed electrical stimulation was delivered by the device for 10 minutes per session. The procedure was performed once weekly for two sessions, without any modification for research purposes.

Also known as: Transcutaneous Radiofrequency

Erector Spinae Plane Block; Transcutaneous Radiofrequency

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients aged 18 to 80 years diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia involving cervical, thoracic, or lumbar dermatomes who underwent either ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block or transcutaneous radiofrequency treatment as part of routine clinical care. Patients were included if they had persistent pain despite conservative treatment and a baseline Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score greater than 5. All treatments were completed prior to study enrollment, and no changes were made to clinical management for research purposes.

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of postherpetic neuralgia involving cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions
• Age between 18 and 80 years
• Persistent pain despite conservative treatment
• Baseline VAS score \> 5

You may not qualify if:

• Ophthalmic or extremity postherpetic neuralgia
• Allergy to local anesthetics
• Pregnancy
• Coagulopathy or use of antiplatelet therapy
• Cognitive impairment preventing informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Diskapi Teaching and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ayse Betul Acar

Ankara, 06500, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neuralgia, Postherpetic; Neuralgia; Herpes Zoster

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Varicella Zoster Virus Infection; Herpesviridae Infections; DNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Infections

Study Officials

• AYSE BETUL ACAR

  Diskapi TRH

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

AYSE BETUL ACAR

CONTACT

+905326685180; betulbozann@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Supervisor Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 3, 2026
• First Posted: February 10, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)