Comparing short and long pulsed radiofrequency for lumbosacral pain relief

Analgesic Efficacy of Different Pulse Radiofrequency Treatment Durations in the Management of Lumbosacral Radicular Pain

Observational Ankara City Hospital Bilkent · NCT06748469

This study is testing whether short or long pulsed radiofrequency treatments can help people with lumbosacral pain feel better and improve their daily activities.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAnkara City Hospital Bilkent Academic / other
Locations1 site (Ankara)
Trial IDNCT06748469 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two different durations of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) applications on patients suffering from lumbosacral radicular pain. Participants will receive either a short-duration (240 seconds) or long-duration (480 seconds) PRF treatment applied to the dorsal root ganglion under fluoroscopic guidance. The study will assess outcomes such as pain relief, functionality, patient satisfaction, and side effects associated with each treatment duration. All procedures will be conducted in a sterile environment, ensuring safety and accuracy in targeting the affected nerve areas.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a pain severity score of 4 or higher, experiencing radicular pain for more than 12 weeks that has not responded to conservative treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with malignancy-related pain, diabetes, or conditions that impair follow-up may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into optimizing pain management strategies for patients with lumbosacral radicular pain.

How similar studies have performed: While there is existing literature on pulsed radiofrequency treatments, this specific comparison of duration is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Age ≥ 18 years

* Pain severity NRS ≥ 4
* Pain duration \> 12 weeks Refractory to conservative treatments (physical therapy, medical treatments) Exclusion Criteria Malignancy-related pain Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or polyneuropathy Back pain more severe than leg pain Conditions that impair follow-up (e.g., psychiatric disorders, dementia) Patients refusing the procedure

Where this trial is running

Ankara

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions RADICULAR PAINDORSAL ROOT GANGLIAPULSED RADIOFREQUENCY
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.