Actively Recruiting
Effectiveness of Third Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency in Cervicogenic Headache
Led by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent · Updated on 2026-01-26
25
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
30 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache disorder originating from cervical spine structures and is frequently associated with chronic pain, functional limitation, and impaired quality of life. The third occipital nerve, which innervates the C2-3 zygapophyseal joint, plays an important role in the pathophysiology of cervicogenic headache. Pulsed radiofrequency is a minimally invasive interventional pain management technique that modulates nociceptive transmission without causing permanent neural damage. Although third occipital nerve pulsed radiofrequency is increasingly used in clinical practice, prospective data evaluating its clinical effectiveness and safety remain limited. The aim of this prospective, single-center study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided third occipital nerve pulsed radiofrequency treatment in patients diagnosed with cervicogenic headache. Pain intensity, headache characteristics, analgesic consumption, and patient-reported outcomes will be assessed before treatment and during follow-up. The results of this study are expected to contribute to clinical evidence supporting interventional treatment strategies for cervicogenic headache.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Effectiveness of Third Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency in Cervicogenic Headache
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 years or older
- Diagnosed with cervicogenic headache according to International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3)
- Available cranial and cervical spine imaging
- Experiencing at least 5 headache days per month
- Inadequate response to medication and/or physical therapy treatments
- Able to understand and provide written informed consent
- Positive response to ultrasound-guided diagnostic third occipital nerve block with at least 50% pain reduction or meaningful improvement
You will not qualify if you...
- Secondary headache disorders other than cervicogenic headache according to ICHD-3
- Signs or symptoms of cervical nerve root irritation or spinal stenosis
- Sensory deficit in the greater occipital nerve area
- Structural defects or abnormalities near the treatment site
- Local or systemic infection
- Non-drug headache treatments within the last 3 months
- Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
- Allergy to local anesthetic agents
- History of cancer
- Known brain or spinal cord disease
- Cranial or cervical surgery within the last 12 months
- Bleeding or clotting disorders or use of blood thinners
- Other medical conditions causing headache (e.g., uncontrolled high blood pressure, brain lesions)
- Conditions interfering with treatment or assessment (e.g., psychiatric disorders, dementia)
- Request for retreatment due to new or different pain during follow-up
- Refusal of treatment or withdrawal of consent at any stage
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
H
Hatice Babaoğlan
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here