Home-based exercise after cervical epidural steroid injection for neck and arm pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will enroll adults with chronic cervical radiculopathy confirmed by MRI and pain of at least 3 months' duration. All participants receive a cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection and are randomly assigned to either injection alone or injection followed by an eight-week standardized home-based exercise program. The primary outcome is neck-related disability measured by the Neck Disability Index at 12 weeks, with secondary outcomes including pain intensity, quality of life, and sleep quality. The protocol emphasizes initiating rehabilitation during the window of pain relief after injection to potentially enhance neuromuscular recovery and long-term function.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 70 years.
* Chronic cervical radicular pain lasting ≥3 months, characterized by neck pain with accompanying arm pain consistent with a cervical nerve root distribution.
* Average pain intensity ≥4/10 on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) over the preceding 7 days at baseline.
* Diagnosis of chronic cervical radiculopathy due to cervical disc herniation, confirmed by clinical examination and cervical MRI findings at the corresponding level.
* Insufficient response to conservative treatment, including physical therapy, medication, and/or exercise therapy.
* Ability to provide written informed consent and comply with study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients were excluded if any of the following were present:
* Clinical signs of cervical myelopathy or progressive neurological deficit.
* Suspicion of serious spinal pathology (e.g., infection, malignancy).
* Contraindications to epidural steroid injection, including uncontrolled coagulopathy, anticoagulant therapy not appropriately managed, or local/systemic infection.
* Pregnancy.
* Prior cervical spine surgery or cervical epidural steroid injection within the prespecified washout period.
* Severe musculoskeletal or neurological comorbidities that could interfere with safe participation in the exercise program.
* Discordance between clinical symptoms and imaging findings.

Where it's running

• Necmettin Erbakan University
  Konya, Turkey, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Banu Gokcen Baydogan Tan, Medical Doctor
• Email: baydogan.g@gmail.com
• Phone: +90095058174097

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.