Steroid injection into neck muscle trigger points versus C2 dorsal root ganglion (nerve) block for chronic cervicogenic headache

Clinical Study of Myofascial Trigger Points(MTrPs) Injection in the Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain(CMP), Chronic Migraine and Cervicogenic Headache

This trial will test whether steroid injections into neck myofascial trigger points work as well as C2 dorsal root ganglion (nerve) blocks to reduce pain in adults with chronic cervicogenic headache.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 1036 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Beijing Tiantan Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality)
• Trial ID: NCT07347730 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, randomized, blinded-outcome, non-inferiority trial comparing two injection treatments for chronic cervicogenic headache. Enrolled adults are randomly assigned to receive either glucocorticoid injection at myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) or dorsal rami/C2 nerve blocks, with procedures performed at a single center. Patients will be followed for up to two years with regular assessments of pain intensity (NRS), attack frequency, and other clinical outcomes. The trial focuses on long-term clinical efficacy and safety of the two injection approaches.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of cervicogenic headache lasting at least 3 months and an NRS pain score of 3 or higher despite conservative medications are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with steroid allergy, active infection, severe organ dysfunction, pregnancy or breastfeeding, long-term opioid or steroid therapy, or other major exclusions are unlikely to benefit and are excluded from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the MTrP injection could offer similarly effective, simple, and safer-to-deliver long-term pain relief compared with C2 nerve blocks, improving headache control and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous domestic and international studies have reported that glucocorticoid injections at MTrPs and occipital/dorsal root nerve blocks can relieve cervicogenic headache, but long-term head-to-head non-inferiority comparisons are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with cervicogenic headache by at least two pain specialists or neurologists;
* Disease duration of at least 3 months;
* Age between 18 and 65 years;
* Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 3 despite conservative pharmacological treatment;
* Signed informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of allergy to trial medications such as corticosteroids;
* Alcohol abuse; long-term use of opioids (exceeding 2 weeks or more than 3 days per week for over 1 month); suspected use of sedative or analgesic medications; patients on long-term steroid therapy;
* Severe neurological disorders, significant hepatic or renal dysfunction, heart failure, coagulation abnormalities, gastric ulcer, diabetes, inflammatory rheumatic diseases, etc.;
* Inability to use pain assessment scales;
* Presence of local or systemic infection;
* Pregnant or lactating patients.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing Municipality

• Beijing Tiantan Hospital — Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Fang Luo

Conditions Myofascial Trigger Points; Cervicogenic Headache; Dorsal Root Ganglion