Ultrasound-guided Pulsed Radiofrequency of the Third Occipital Nerve.
Eung Don Kim, Young Hoon Kim, Chong Min Park...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23614084Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
ID07366060
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Third Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment in Patients With Cervicogenic Headache
Led by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent · Updated on 2026-01-26
25
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
17 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Cervicogenic headache is a chronic type of headache that originates from the cervical spine, especially involving the third occipital nerve at the C2-3 zygapophyseal joint. This condition often leads to ongoing pain, limits daily function, and reduces quality of life. Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment targeting this nerve to better understand its role in managing cervicogenic headache. Participants who have been diagnosed with cervicogenic headache and respond positively to a diagnostic nerve block will receive pulsed radiofrequency treatment. This minimally invasive procedure uses ultrasound guidance to apply electrical pulses to the third occipital nerve, aiming to reduce pain without causing permanent nerve damage. The treatment follows standard clinical protocols and is given once, with follow-up visits at 1, 2, and 3 months after the procedure. During the study, participants will undergo assessments including pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale, headache frequency, medication use, and effects on daily activities and sleep. Safety monitoring will record any adverse events related to both the diagnostic block and the pulsed radiofrequency treatment. The main goal is to observe changes in pain intensity over time, with secondary measures assessing headache days and patient satisfaction throughout the three-month follow-up period.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effectiveness of Third Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency in Cervicogenic Headache
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 years or older
- Diagnosis of cervicogenic headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3)
- Availability of cranial and cervical spine imaging
- At least 5 headache days per month
- Inadequate response to pharmacological and/or physical therapy treatments
- Ability to understand and provide written informed consent
- Positive response to ultrasound-guided diagnostic third occipital nerve block, defined as at least 50% reduction in pain intensity or patient-reported 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 and/or spinal stenosis
- Sensory deficit in the greater occipital nerve dermatome
- Cranio-cervical structural defects or anatomical abnormalities at or near the target site
- Local or systemic infection
- Non-pharmacological headache treatment within the last 3 months (e.g., physical therapy, botulinum toxin A, acupuncture, ozone therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy)
- Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
- Known allergy to local anesthetic agents
- History of malignancy
- Known organic disease of the brain or spinal cord
- History of cranial or cervical surgery within the last 12 months
- Bleeding or coagulation disorders or use of oral anticoagulant therapy
- Comorbid conditions that may cause headache (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, intracranial lesions)
- Conditions that may interfere with treatment adherence or outcome assessment (e.g., psychiatric disorders, dementia)
- Request for re-treatment due to development of contralateral pain or other pain conditions during follow-up
- Refusal to undergo the intervention or withdrawal of consent at any stage of the study
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit
Treatment
Duration - 1 day
Participants receive ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment of the third occipital nerve at the C2-3 zygapophyseal joint level to manage cervicogenic headache.
1 treatment visit (in-person)
Follow-up
Duration - 3 months
Participants are followed for assessment of pain intensity, headache frequency, medication use, and safety outcomes after treatment.
3 follow-up visits at 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
H
Hatice Babaoğlan
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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Published Research Related To This Trial
Third occipital nerve headache: a prevalence study.
S M Lord, L Barnsley, B J Wallis...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7931379The clinical anatomy of the cervical dorsal rami.
N Bogduk
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7135065