Actively Recruiting
The Effectiveness of Ultra-Sound Guided Erector Spinae Block With Betamethasone for Management of Truncal Chronic Post Herpetic Neuralgia, a Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.
Led by Cairo University · Updated on 2025-06-05
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a persistent nerve pain lasting more than three months after a shingles rash has healed. It is a common and challenging complication, especially in older adults, with many patients over 50 at risk. This research investigates how effective an ultrasound-guided erector spinae block (ESB) combined with betamethasone is as an addition to standard treatment for managing truncal chronic PHN. The study compares two treatment approaches. One group will receive the usual medical care alone, while the other group will receive an erector spinae plane (ESP) block with betamethasone alongside the standard regimen. The ESP block involves injecting medication under the erector spinae muscle to target spinal nerves, aiming to provide pain relief without risks like pleural injury. Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that may help reduce inflammation and nerve pain. Participants will be followed for eight weeks after their first clinic visit. During this time, researchers will measure pain levels, track any side effects, and record tramadol use in both groups. The study includes adults aged 18 to 75 diagnosed with truncal chronic PHN. The research team will monitor participants’ responses to treatments and safety throughout the study period to assess the potential benefits of adding the ESP block with betamethasone.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
The Effectiveness of Ultra-Sound Guided Erector Spinae Block With Betamethasone for Management of Truncal Chronic Post Herpetic Neuralgia.
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patients aged between 18 and 75 years
- Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II or III
- Patients diagnosed with truncal chronic post herpetic neuralgia (neuropathic pain lasting more than 3 months from rash onset)
You will not qualify if you...
- Patients unable to understand or provide informed consent
- Patients on long-term opioid treatment
- Patients with liver impairment (ALT >50 U/L or AST >45 U/L) or kidney impairment (creatinine 61.5 mg/dL)
- Patients on anticoagulation therapy
- Patients with coagulation abnormalities (INR 61.5 and/or platelets 6450000)
- Patients with local infection at the block injection site
- Patients with body mass index (BMI) greater than 35
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 8 weeks
Participants receive either the standard medical regimen alone or the erector spinae plane (ESP) block with betamethasone alongside the standard medical regimen to manage truncal chronic post herpetic neuralgia.
Multiple visits during the 8 weeks for treatment and assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Cairo University
Cairo, Egypt, 11651
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
N
Nada R Radwan, Master
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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