Actively Recruiting
Topical Cryotherapy to Reduce Pain During Steroid Injections for Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars: A Pilot Study
Led by Sonal Choudhary · Updated on 2026-06-03
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
8 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether brief topical cryotherapy applied immediately before steroid injections can reduce pain and injection resistance during treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars in adults. This pilot study specifically compares pain perception and injection resistance between scar areas treated with cryotherapy plus steroid injection and those treated with steroid injection alone. During treatment, providers will divide each scar into two halves. One half will receive cryoanesthesia with liquid nitrogen spray for about 10 seconds followed by intralesional triamcinolone injection within 60 seconds. The other half will receive the same steroid injection alone using identical needle size, depth, and volume. This split-treatment allows direct comparison within the same scar. Participants will rate their pain immediately after each injection using a 10-point scale. Providers will also assess injection resistance on a 10-point scale after each injection. The study monitors these outcomes during the same visit to understand the impact of topical cryotherapy on patient comfort and injection ease during scar treatment.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Topical Cryotherapy and Keloid/Hypertrophic Scars
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults (18 years or older) with keloids or hypertrophic scars scheduled for intralesional triamcinolone as routine care
- At least one keloid or hypertrophic scar with two comparable regions 2 cm or larger suitable for split treatment
- Able to give informed consent and complete pain assessments in English
You will not qualify if you...
- Scar located on the face (except earlobes), excluded for cosmetic reasons
- Prior treatment to the selected keloid or hypertrophic scar based on self-report
- Unable to complete study assessments due to cognitive or language barriers
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.
Duration - Single visit
Participants receive topical cryotherapy and intralesional steroid injections to halves of their keloid or hypertrophic scar during a single visit to reduce pain during steroid injections.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213-3427
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Sonal Choudhary, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
1
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