Ultrasound Guided Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency for Cervical Radiculopathy
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: true transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency, Sham device.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Cervical Radiculopathy. Basic parameters: 20 years — 75 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Taiwan
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
The Efficacy of Ultrasound Guided Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency for Cervical Radiculopathy: a Randomized, Sham-controlled, Double-blind Pilot Study
Overview
Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a painful condition caused by irritation of the cervical nerve roots, often leading to neck, shoulder, and arm pain, sometimes with numbness or weakness. These symptoms can reduce quality of life and place a burden on healthcare systems. Current treatments, such as physical therapy, cervical traction, and medication, are often not fully effective. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) has shown benefits for nerve-related pain, but because it requires an invasive procedure, its use is limited. Transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (TCPRF) is a non-invasive version of PRF. It has shown promising results in animal studies and in clinical research for knee and shoulder conditions, but has not been tested for CR. Recent improvements in ultrasound allow more precise targeting of cervical nerve roots, making ultrasound-guided TCPRF a potentially safe and accessible treatment option. This pilot study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided TCPRF in patients with CR compared to a sham treatment. A total of 32 participants with CR lasting more than six weeks will be randomly assigned to either TCPRF or sham treatment. Both groups will receive 12 treatment sessions over four weeks, combined with a standard rehabilitation program. The main outcome is pain intensity measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes include neck-related disability, medication use, and any side effects.
Interventions
- Device true transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency
participants will receive ultrasound guidance to localize the target cervical nerve root (e.g., C5-C7) before treatment. A high-frequency linear transducer will be used with the patient in a sitting position. Transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (TCPRF) will be applied using the StimOn™ Pain Relief System (GM2439, Gimer Medical Co., Ltd, Taiwan; FDA 510(k) No. K213802). The device delivers a 500-kHz symmetric biphasic sine wave at 2 Hz with a 25-ms pulse. Each session lasts 30 minutes, divided i - Device Sham device
participants will receive ultrasound guidance to localize the target cervical nerve root (e.g., C5-C7) before treatment. A high-frequency linear transducer will be used with the patient in a sitting position. Sham device will be applied. No active current will be delivered. Each session lasts 30 minutes, divided into two 15-minute phases, with treatment administered 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions in total).
Primary outcome measures
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) [Time frame: baseline, at the end of week 2, at the end of week 4 (post-treatment), and at a 3-month follow-up after the intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Neck Disability Index (NDI) [Time frame: baseline, at the end of week 2, at the end of week 4 (post-treatment), and at a 3-month follow-up after the intervention]
- medication usage [Time frame: baseline, at the end of week 2, at the end of week 4 (post-treatment), and at a 3-month follow-up after the intervention]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age between 20 and 75 years old.
- Clinical diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy, defined by:
- Presence of neck pain or paresthesia radiating to the unilateral upper extremity with radicular and dermatomal pattern;
- Positive Spurling's test;
- Positive cervical distraction test
- Symptoms lasting for over 6 weeks
- Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for arm pain ≥ 4 out of 10
- MRI or CT-confirmed nerve root compression, corresponding to clinical symptoms.
- Able to provide written informed consent and comply with study procedures
Exclusion criteria
- History of cervical spine surgery.
- Motor deficit on involving limb
- Presence of axial neck pain without radicular symptoms
- Symptoms from shoulder, elbow, or wrist joint or other musculoskeletal co-morbidity such as rheumatologic disease or carpal tunnel syndrome
- Evidence of serious underlying pathology (e.g., tumor, infection, fracture, or myelopathy)
- Prior exposure to epidural steroid injection or pulsed radiofrequency therapy within the past 6 months
- Presence of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- History of epilepsy or electronic devices implanted in the body
- Active infection or skin disease at the stimulator contact site
- Allergy to electrode patch
- Unable to understand the study protocol or provide written
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Taiwan · 1 center
- Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital — Taipei
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07207356 · 20250724R