Examining pain relief mechanisms after lumbar nerve blocks
Official title: OMEGA Study: Offset Mechanisms in Evaluation of Lumbar Medial Branch Block
Run by University of Pittsburgh · NCT05961800 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing how well lumbar nerve blocks can relieve chronic low back pain and how the body's nervous system affects that relief in patients who are about to receive the treatment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 5, 2023 |
| Main results expected | June 2028 |
| Study ends | June 2028 |
| Registry record updated | July 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05961800 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with chronic axial low back pain lasting at least three months and a pain intensity of greater than 3 out of 10.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with a history of spine surgery at the lumbar level or those with unstable systemic illnesses may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates how central nervous system mechanisms influence pain relief following lumbar medial branch blocks, a common procedure for chronic low back pain. Patients scheduled for this nerve block will undergo quantitative sensory testing to assess their pain modulation capabilities before receiving the treatment. They will then track their pain intensity in a diary to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure. The goal is to better understand the relationship between CNS pain inhibition and the outcomes of the nerve block.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the understanding of pain management strategies for patients with chronic low back pain.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of offset analgesia in lumbar medial branch blocks may be novel, similar studies have explored pain modulation and nerve blocks with varying degrees of success.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Scheduled for lumbar MBB in UPMC Pain Management clinics * Age \> 18 years old * Predominantly axial chronic low back pain at least 3 months on a daily basis * Must meet the minimum criteria for cognitive function using the PROMIS 2-item cognitive screener (\>3) * Low back pain intensity of \> 3/10 * Willing and able to receive study-related phone calls Exclusion Criteria: * History of spine surgery at the level of the lumbar MBB * Active worker's compensation or litigation claims * New pain and/or psychiatric treatments within 2 weeks of enrollment * Not fluent in English and/or not able to complete the questionnaires * Any clinically unstable systemic illness that is judged to interfere with the study
Where it's running
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UPMC St. Margaret
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Benedict J Alter, MD, PhD — University of Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Maya L Maurer, BS
- Email: mam708@pitt.edu
- Phone: 412-665-8052
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.