Transnasal nerve block for headaches after brain hemorrhage
Official title: Transnasal Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block for Treatment of Acute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Associated Headache
Run by University of California, Davis · NCT06621329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if a special nose treatment can help reduce headaches in people who have had a brain hemorrhage and see if it can lower their need for pain medication.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase2; Phase3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, Davis Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sacramento, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 17, 2024 |
| Main results expected | July 2027 |
| Study ends | October 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 18, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06621329 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years old with a secured aneurysm and acute subarachnoid hemorrhage who can communicate their pain levels.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with unsecured aneurysms, recent nasal or facial trauma, or those who cannot verbalize pain scores 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 evaluates the effectiveness of a transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block in reducing headache severity in patients suffering from acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). It involves a randomized controlled design with 40 participants, comparing standard pain medication alone to standard medication combined with the SPG block administered via a needleless device. The study also aims to assess the impact of this intervention on opioid usage during hospitalization and at discharge. Data on pain scores and safety monitoring will be collected over a 24-month period, with individual participation lasting up to four weeks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce headache severity and opioid dependency in patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of nerve blocks for headache management is established, this specific approach using a transnasal SPG block is novel and has not been extensively tested in this context.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Acute subarachnoid hemorrhage * Age greater than 18 years * Secured aneurysm * Patient can verbalize pain score to clinician, nurse, medical translator, or surrogate decision * maker * Patient or surrogate decision maker is available to consent Exclusion Criteria: * Less than 18 years old * Unsecured aneurysm * Pregnant or lactating * Prisoner * Unable to verbalize pain score to clinician, nurse, medical translator, or surrogate decision maker * Nasal or facial trauma or surgery within the last three months * Allergy to lidocaine, bupivacaine, or dexamethasone * Patient is unable to consent and no available surrogate decision maker
Where it's running
-
UC Davis Medical Center
Sacramento, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Christine Picinich, MS, AGACNP-BC, CCRN — University of California, Davis
- Study coordinator: Janice Wang-Polagruto, PhD, CCRP
- Email: jfwang@ucdavis.edu
- Phone: 916-551-3244
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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.