Modified lumbar puncture procedure to reduce headaches

A Prospective, Single-Arm Study of a Modified Lumbar Puncture (LP) Procedure That Reduces Post-Lumbar Puncture Headaches (PLPH) in Adult Patients

NA · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · NCT06062446

This study is testing a new way to do lumbar punctures to see if it can lower the chances of headaches afterwards for people who need this procedure.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorThe University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston (other)
Locations1 site (Houston, Texas)
Trial IDNCT06062446 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate a modified lumbar puncture (LP) procedure designed to decrease the incidence of post-lumbar puncture headaches (PLPH) to 5% or lower. It will also assess whether this modified procedure can reduce the need for epidural blood patches to 10% or lower among patients experiencing PLPH. The study will involve participants who require a lumbar puncture for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons and will monitor various factors that may influence the occurrence of PLPH.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals who require a lumbar puncture and have a Karnofsky Performance Scale score of 60 or higher.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of chronic headaches, recent neurosurgical device implants, or those on anticoagulant therapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce the incidence of post-lumbar puncture headaches, improving patient comfort and outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While there may be existing studies on lumbar puncture techniques, this specific modified approach is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants who can sign informed consent
* Participants who have stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
* Participants receiving a LP per standard of care (SOC) need for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes only
* Participants with Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) ≥ 60

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants with a past medical history of chronic headaches (≥15 days per month) or acute headaches
* Participants with recent neurosurgical device implants such as ventriculoperitoneal shunt
* Participants with more than one dural puncture during the same LP procedure
* Participants have chronic coagulopathy with elevated prothrombin time (PT), Partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and International Normalized ration (INR).
* Participants who are on active anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy unless stopped such therapy prior to LP per SOC guidance.
* Participants with suspicions of raised intracranial pressure by either clinical assessment or imaging assessment or both
* Participants with severe spinal column deformities, such as scoliosis. Disc diseases are not exclusion criteria
* Participants with LP procedural complications that require a needle type or needle size change

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Post-Lumbar Puncture Headache, lumbar puncture, headache

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.