NCT07787741

Brief Summary

Chronic neck pain can negatively affect daily activities, work ability, and quality of life. Cervical epidural block is commonly used to reduce pain and inflammation, while exercise and physical therapy aim to improve muscle strength, endurance, movement control, and physical function. However, there is limited evidence comparing cervical epidural block alone with its combined use with exercise or physical therapy. This study aims to compare the effects of three treatment approaches in patients with chronic neck pain associated with cervical disc pathology or degenerative changes. Participants will receive cervical epidural block alone, cervical epidural block combined with cervical stabilization exercises, or cervical epidural block combined with physical therapy. Pain intensity, neck-related disability, and quality of life will be evaluated before treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment using the Numeric Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey. The study will determine whether adding exercise or physical therapy to cervical epidural block provides additional clinical and functional benefits.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
60

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
13mo left

Started Jul 2026

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress13%
Jul 2026Oct 2027

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 1, 2026

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 22, 2026

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 26, 2026

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 1, 2027

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

October 1, 2027

Last Updated

August 26, 2026

Status Verified

August 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

1.3 years

First QC Date

August 22, 2026

Last Update Submit

August 22, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

Cervical Epidural InjectionCervical RadiculopathyChronic Neck PainCervical Stabilization ExercisesPhysical TherapyNeck Disability

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Pain Intensity Assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale

    Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Participants rate their pain on an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Lower scores indicate lower pain intensity. Changes from baseline will be compared among the three treatment groups.

    Baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Change in Neck-Related Disability Assessed by the Neck Disability Index

    Baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment

  • Change in Health-Related Quality of Life Assessed by the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey

    Baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment

Study Arms (3)

Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm receive cervical epidural steroid injection alone.

Procedure: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection

Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection With Cervical Stabilization Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm receive cervical epidural steroid injection combined with a cervical stabilization exercise program.

Procedure: Cervical Epidural Steroid InjectionBehavioral: Cervical Stabilization Exercise Program

Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection With Physical Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm receive cervical epidural steroid injection combined with a physical therapy program.

Procedure: Cervical Epidural Steroid InjectionOther: Physical Therapy Program

Interventions

Participants receive a cervical epidural steroid injection for the treatment of chronic neck pain associated with cervical radiculopathy.

Cervical Epidural Steroid InjectionCervical Epidural Steroid Injection With Cervical Stabilization ExercisesCervical Epidural Steroid Injection With Physical Therapy

Participants perform a cervical stabilization exercise program in addition to cervical epidural steroid injection.

Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection With Cervical Stabilization Exercises

Participants receive a physical therapy program in addition to cervical epidural steroid injection.

Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection With Physical Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 55 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Aged 18 to 55 years
  • Neck pain lasting longer than 3 months
  • Diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy
  • Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain score of 5 or higher

You may not qualify if:

  • History of spinal surgery
  • Cervical spondylolisthesis
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Presence of a neurological deficit
  • History of psychiatric disease
  • Polyneuropathy
  • History of spinal fracture
  • Pregnancy
  • History of malignancy
  • Known allergy to any medication used in the study
  • Central sensitization
  • Widespread pain
  • Regional pain associated with a systemic disease

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Sakarya Training and Research Hospital

Adapazarı, Sakarya, 54100, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Radiculopathy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Peripheral Nervous System DiseasesNeuromuscular DiseasesNervous System Diseases

Study Officials

  • KEMAL NAS, MD, Professor

    Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Department of Algology

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
  • RIDVAN IŞIK, MD

    Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Department of Algology

    STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

YUNUS TÜRKYILMAZ, MD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Participants are assigned to one of three parallel treatment groups: cervical epidural block alone, cervical epidural block combined with cervical stabilization exercises, or cervical epidural block combined with physical therapy.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 22, 2026

First Posted

August 26, 2026

Study Start

July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2027

Last Updated

August 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations