Radiofrequency nerve heating for chronic low back pain
A Superiority Trial of Radiofrequency Ablation for Low Back Pain
['FUNDING_U01'] · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · NIH-11182523
This compares a specific lumbar radiofrequency ablation approach to provide better pain relief for people with chronic low back pain linked to the facet joints.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11182523 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would be someone with chronic low back pain (lasting 3 months or more) suspected to come from your lumbar facet joints and who gets temporary relief from diagnostic medial branch nerve blocks. If eligible, you would be randomized and could receive lumbar radiofrequency ablation performed using strict Spine Intervention Society technique or a comparison/control approach, with in-person procedure visits. The team will follow your pain, function, and any side effects over time to see whether this LRFA approach produces larger, longer-lasting benefit than typical treatments. The procedure works by applying heat to small nerves to reduce pain but can cause adverse effects and is neurodestructive by design.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic low back pain (≥3 months) who experience clear short-term pain relief after diagnostic medial branch blocks indicating facet-joint pain.
Not a fit: People whose pain is not tied to the facet joints, who do not respond to medial branch blocks, or who have widespread/multifactorial back pain are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give larger and longer-lasting reductions in pain and disability for people whose low back pain comes from the facet joints.
How similar studies have performed: Prior randomized trials have shown mixed results—some well-selected patients treated with proper technique had large benefits, while other trials found no effect—so this trial uses strict SIS technique and selection criteria to clarify benefit.
Where this research is happening
SEATTLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON — SEATTLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SURI, PRADEEP — UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- Study coordinator: SURI, PRADEEP
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.