Peripheral Nerve Injections for CRPS

September 16, 2024 updated by: Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Peripheral Nerve Injections for the Treatment of Upper Extremity Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: a Feasibility Study for a Proposed Randomized Design

Background Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by intense pain, loss of function, and associated with motor, trophic, sudomotor, and/or vasomotor changes of the affected extremity. Upper extremity CRPS is seen frequently in electrodiagnostic, neurology, and musculoskeletal clinics and occurs in up to one-third of patients who have undergone common surgical procedures (i.e. carpal tunnel surgery). To date, there is a limited understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of CRPS. As a consequence, few effective treatment options are available.

Peripheral nerve blocks have proven to be successful in reducing pain for several musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions. Similarly, this procedure could be used to block somatic and autonomic sensory fibers which are thought to contribute to CRPS. In a small exploratory study, investigators found peripheral nerve blocks in the upper extremity (suprascapular and median nerves) were well-tolerated in patients with CRPS and resulted in a 56% and 37% pain reduction in the shoulder and hand 2 weeks after injection, respectively. While this is highly encouraging, large randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) are necessary to demonstrate effectiveness and safety of nerve blocks for this population before it is accepted into clinical practice. This proposal is a phase II feasibility study that will test the critical elements necessary for performing such a RCT.

Methods The investigators will recruit participants (≥18 years old) from The Ottawa Hospital, Bruyère Continuing Care (Elisabeth Bruyère Hospital, St-Vincent Hospital), and Providence Care Hospital (Kingston, ON), meeting the well-established clinical Budapest criteria for upper extremity CRPS and having a visual analog scale (VAS) pain score of at least 40 mm (to avoid flooring effect). Participants will be block-randomized by the Ottawa Methods Centre to receive injections of either A) intervention (suprascapular, median, and ulnar nerves) with bupivacaine and triamcinolone acetonide, or B) placebo (saline). All participants will receive standard care for CRPS.

Primary outcomes will focus on crucial methodologic aspects for the future RCT, including: (1) level of recruitment, (2) rate of acceptance from eligible patients to the randomization procedure, (3) blinding efficacy, (4) degree of patient retention, (5) rate of data completion, and (6) rate of adverse events for both the placebo and intervention groups.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

50

Phase

  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

    • Ontario
      • Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1H 8L6
        • The Ottawa Hospital
      • Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1N5C8
        • Elisabeth Bruyere Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Able to provide signed and dated informed consent form
  2. Male or female, aged ≥18 years old
  3. Satisfy the Budapest Criteria for upper extremity CRPS
  4. A VAS score of at least 40 mm in the upper extremity to avoid flooring effect for injection-related pain reduction

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Uncontrolled hypertension (>180/110)
  2. Sepsis
  3. Bleeding diathesis
  4. Active cancer
  5. Brachial plexus injuries
  6. Neurological language deficits precluding participation
  7. Mini mental state examination score < 23
  8. Acute mental illness (An acute mental illness is characterized by clinically significant symptoms of any metal health illness that requires immediate treatment. The physician making the recommendation to be part of the study. If the patient exhibits symptoms of any mental health illness that is not being treated by either the recommending physician or another member of the patient's care team the patient will not be recommended to participate in the study)
  9. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Treatment

The intervention group will receive:

  1. Suprascapular nerve block - 3 mL of 0.5% Bupivacaine and 1 mL of 40 mg/mL Kenalog
  2. Median nerve block - 3.5 mL of 0.5% Bupivacaine and 0.5 mL of 40 mg/mL Kenalog
  3. Ulnar nerve block - 3.5 mL of 0.5% Bupivacaine and 0.5 mL of 40 mg/mL Kenalog
Triamcinolone acetonide is a synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid with marked anti-inflammatory action, in a sterile aqueous suspension suitable for intramuscular, intra-articular, and intrabursal injection.
Other Names:
  • Kenalog
Bupivacaine is an anesthetic that is commonly used as a local numbing agent, including intramuscular, intra-articular and intrabursal injections.
Other Names:
  • Marcaine
Placebo Comparator: Placebo

Placebo

The placebo group will receive:

  1. Suprascapular nerve injection - 4 mL of normal saline
  2. Median nerve injection - 4 mL of normal saline
  3. Ulnar nerve injection - 4 mL of normal saline
Saline is a buffer solution commonly used in biological research. It is a water-based salt solution containing disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride and, in some formulations, potassium chloride and potassium dihydrogen phosphate. The buffer helps to maintain a constant pH. The osmolarity and ion concentrations of the solutions match those of the human body.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Recruitment
Time Frame: Week -2
Number of participants who are successfully recruit into the study.
Week -2
Randomization
Time Frame: Week 0
Number of participants who accept being randomized into either the intervention or placebo treatment arms and receive the injection accordingly.
Week 0
Blinding - Participant
Time Frame: Week 0
The participants will be asked which arm they believe they are part of and this response will be compared to their actual group allocation. The level of agreement between the actual group allocation and the guess provided will be compared using Bang's blinding index, we will consider blinding effective if the index is between -0.2 and 0.2 (zero being perfect blinding).
Week 0
Blinding - Participant
Time Frame: Week 2
The participants will be asked which arm they believe they are part of and this response will be compared to their actual group allocation. The level of agreement between the actual group allocation and the guess provided will be compared using Bang's blinding index, we will consider blinding effective if the index is between -0.2 and 0.2 (zero being perfect blinding).
Week 2
Blinding - Participant
Time Frame: Week 6
The participants will be asked which arm they believe they are part of and this response will be compared to their actual group allocation. The level of agreement between the actual group allocation and the guess provided will be compared using Bang's blinding index, we will consider blinding effective if the index is between -0.2 and 0.2 (zero being perfect blinding).
Week 6
Blinding - Participant
Time Frame: Week 12
The participants will be asked which arm they believe they are part of and this response will be compared to their actual group allocation. The level of agreement between the actual group allocation and the guess provided will be compared using Bang's blinding index, we will consider blinding effective if the index is between -0.2 and 0.2 (zero being perfect blinding).
Week 12
Blinding - Interventionist
Time Frame: Week 0
The interventionist will be asked which arm they believe the participant is are part of and this response will be compared to their actual group allocation. The level of agreement between the actual group allocation and the guess provided will be compared using Bang's blinding index, we will consider blinding effective if the index is between -0.2 and 0.2 (zero being perfect blinding).
Week 0
Blinding - Physiotherapist
Time Frame: Week 2
The physiotherapist will be asked which arm they believe the participant is are part of and this response will be compared to their actual group allocation. The level of agreement between the actual group allocation and the guess provided will be compared using Bang's blinding index, we will consider blinding effective if the index is between -0.2 and 0.2 (zero being perfect blinding).
Week 2
Blinding - Physiotherapist
Time Frame: Week 6
The physiotherapist will be asked which arm they believe the participant is are part of and this response will be compared to their actual group allocation. The level of agreement between the actual group allocation and the guess provided will be compared using Bang's blinding index, we will consider blinding effective if the index is between -0.2 and 0.2 (zero being perfect blinding).
Week 6
Blinding - Physiotherapist
Time Frame: Week 12
The physiotherapist will be asked which arm they believe the participant is are part of and this response will be compared to their actual group allocation. The level of agreement between the actual group allocation and the guess provided will be compared using Bang's blinding index, we will consider blinding effective if the index is between -0.2 and 0.2 (zero being perfect blinding).
Week 12
Retention
Time Frame: Week 12
The percentage of participants who remained in the study for the entire duration of their planned involvement.
Week 12
Data completion
Time Frame: Week 12
The percentage of participants who complete all of the study questionnaires
Week 12
Rate of Adverse events
Time Frame: Week 12
We will track adverse events the participants experience
Week 12

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pain - Visual Analog Scale
Time Frame: Week -2
We will track the pain experienced by the participants on a visual analog scale. The lowest score is 0 the highest score is 10. A higher value indicates a higher amount of pain experienced by the participant
Week -2
Pain - Visual Analog Scale
Time Frame: Week 0 - Immediately before injection
We will track the pain experienced by the participants on a visual analog scale. The lowest score is 0 the highest score is 10. A higher value indicates a higher amount of pain experienced by the participant
Week 0 - Immediately before injection
Pain - Visual Analog Scale
Time Frame: Week 0 - Immediately after injection
We will track the pain experienced by the participants on a visual analog scale. The lowest score is 0 the highest score is 10. A higher value indicates a higher amount of pain experienced by the participant
Week 0 - Immediately after injection
Pain - Visual Analog Scale
Time Frame: Week 2
We will track the pain experienced by the participants on a visual analog scale. The lowest score is 0 the highest score is 10. A higher value indicates a higher amount of pain experienced by the participant
Week 2
Pain - Visual Analog Scale
Time Frame: Week 6
We will track the pain experienced by the participants on a visual analog scale. The lowest score is 0 the highest score is 10. A higher value indicates a higher amount of pain experienced by the participant
Week 6
Pain - Visual Analog Scale
Time Frame: Week 12
We will track the pain experienced by the participants on a visual analog scale. The lowest score is 0 the highest score is 10. A higher value indicates a higher amount of pain experienced by the participant
Week 12
Pain - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week -2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 4 and the highest possible score is 30, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week -2
Pain - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 0
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 4 and the highest possible score is 30, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 0
Pain - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 4 and the highest possible score is 30, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 2
Pain - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 6
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 4 and the highest possible score is 30, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 6
Pain - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 12
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 4 and the highest possible score is 30, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 12
Pain - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week -2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week -2
Pain - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 0
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 0
Pain - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 2
Pain - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 6
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 6
Pain - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 12
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 12
Disease Severity - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Severity Score
Time Frame: Week -2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest possible score is 17, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week -2
Disease Severity - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Severity Score
Time Frame: Week 0
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest possible score is 17, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 0
Disease Severity - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Severity Score
Time Frame: Week 2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest possible score is 17, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 2
Disease Severity - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Severity Score
Time Frame: Week 6
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest possible score is 17, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 6
Disease Severity - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Severity Score
Time Frame: Week 12
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest possible score is 17, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 12
Function - Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire
Time Frame: Week -2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest possible score is 100, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week -2
Function - Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire
Time Frame: Week 0
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest possible score is 100, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 0
Function - Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire
Time Frame: Week 2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest possible score is 100, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 2
Function - Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire
Time Frame: Week 6
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest possible score is 100, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 6
Function - Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire
Time Frame: Week 12
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest possible score is 100, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 12
Function - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week -2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 8 and the highest possible score is 40, and a higher score indicates a better outcome.
Week -2
Function - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 0
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 8 and the highest possible score is 40, and a higher score indicates a better outcome.
Week 0
Function - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 8 and the highest possible score is 40, and a higher score indicates a better outcome.
Week 2
Function - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 6
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 8 and the highest possible score is 40, and a higher score indicates a better outcome.
Week 6
Function - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 12
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 8 and the highest possible score is 40, and a higher score indicates a better outcome.
Week 12
Emotional and Psychological Function - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week -2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 16 and the highest possible score is 80, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week -2
Emotional and Psychological Function - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 0
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 16 and the highest possible score is 80, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 0
Emotional and Psychological Function - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 16 and the highest possible score is 80, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 2
Emotional and Psychological Function - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 6
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 16 and the highest possible score is 80, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 6
Emotional and Psychological Function - Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 Profile V2
Time Frame: Week 12
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 16 and the highest possible score is 80, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 12
Emotional and Psychological Function - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week -2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week -2
Emotional and Psychological Function - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 0
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 0
Emotional and Psychological Function - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 2
Emotional and Psychological Function - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 6
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 6
Emotional and Psychological Function - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 12
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 12
Quality of Life - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week -2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week -2
Quality of Life - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 0
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 0
Quality of Life - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 2
Quality of Life - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 6
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 6
Quality of Life - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 12
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 5, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 12
Total Score - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week -2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 5 and the highest possible score is 25, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week -2
Total Score - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 0
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 5 and the highest possible score is 25, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 0
Total Score - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 2
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 5 and the highest possible score is 25, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 2
Total Score - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 6
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 5 and the highest possible score is 25, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 6
Total Score - EQ-5D-5L
Time Frame: Week 12
These outcomes will allow us to better understand the holistic effect of the intervention. The lowest possible score is 5 and the highest possible score is 25, and a higher score indicates a worse outcome.
Week 12

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Mark Campbell, MD, Elisabeth Bruyere Hospital and The Ottawa Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

May 30, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 30, 2024

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 21, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 3, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

February 9, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 19, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 16, 2024

Last Verified

September 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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