What is this study trying to find out about cervical radiculopathy?

This study is evaluating whether adding a home-based exercise program after a cervical epidural steroid injection improves pain, disability, sleep quality, and quality of life in people with chronic cervical radiculopathy. Researchers want to see if combining exercise with injection offers better long-term recovery. The trial is sponsored by Necmettin Erbakan University.

Who may be eligible for this cervical radiculopathy clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 to 70 with chronic neck and arm pain due to cervical radiculopathy confirmed by MRI may be eligible. Both men and women can participate. Important factors include having pain lasting 3 months or more, an average pain level of 4 or higher, and insufficient response to conservative treatments. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this cervical radiculopathy clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the injection, exercise program, and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel expenses to attend visits may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants should plan accordingly for any travel costs.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years - 70Years

All Genders

ID07506785

Study of Home-Based Neck Exercises After Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection to Improve Pain and Function in Adults with Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy

Led by Necmettin Erbakan University · Updated on 2026-04-02

Participants Needed

Research Sites

4 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Cervical radiculopathy is a common cause of neck and arm pain caused by compression or inflammation of a cervical nerve root. This trial investigates whether adding a standardized home-based exercise program after a cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection improves pain, disability, sleep quality, and quality of life in patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy. The study is a randomized controlled trial comparing injection alone versus injection plus exercise. Participants will receive a fluoroscopy-guided cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection at the C7-T1 space using a paramedian approach. They will be randomly assigned to either receive the injection alone with general advice or the injection followed by an eight-week home-based exercise program. The exercise program includes cervical mobility, isometric strengthening, deep muscle activation, and stretching exercises performed five days a week for 15-20 minutes per session, with initial supervised instruction and printed materials. Participants will be assessed at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. Measures include the Neck Disability Index as the primary outcome, and pain intensity Numeric Rating Scale, sleep quality Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, health-related quality of life EuroQol EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS, and analgesic use as secondary outcomes. The study will monitor participants progress through questionnaires and clinical evaluations over 12 weeks to assess functional recovery and symptom changes.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Home-Based Exercise After Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection for Cervical Radiculopathy

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 70Years

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Age between 18 and 70 years
Chronic cervical radicular pain lasting 3 months or more with neck and arm pain matching a cervical nerve root
Average pain intensity of 4 or higher on the Numeric Rating Scale over the past 7 days
Diagnosis of chronic cervical radiculopathy due to cervical disc herniation confirmed by clinical exam and MRI
Insufficient response to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, or exercise
Ability to provide written informed consent and follow study procedures

You will not qualify if you...

Signs of cervical myelopathy or worsening neurological problems
Suspicion of serious spinal conditions like infection or cancer
Contraindications to epidural steroid injection including uncontrolled bleeding disorders, unmanaged anticoagulant use, or infections
Pregnancy
Previous cervical spine surgery or epidural steroid injection within the required washout period
Severe musculoskeletal or neurological conditions preventing safe exercise participation
Mismatch between symptoms and imaging findings

Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Duration - 8 weeks

Participants receive a fluoroscopy-guided cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection. Those assigned to the exercise group also perform a standardized home-based neck exercise program for 8 weeks following the injection, including cervical mobility, isometric strengthening, muscle activation, and stretching exercises performed five days per week.

Initial supervised instruction visit for exercise plus follow-up assessments at weeks 2, 4, and 8

Follow-up

Duration - 4 weeks

Participants are assessed for clinical outcomes including neck-related disability, pain intensity, sleep quality, and quality of life up to 12 weeks after starting treatment.

Visits at weeks 12 for outcome assessments