Regional Anesthesia EMG Study

August 4, 2026 updated by: Grant Heydinger, Nationwide Children's Hospital

Assessment of Regional Anesthetic Blockade Using Non-Invasive Surface Electromyogram (EMG)

This study aims to investigate how non-invasive, non-significant risk EMG monitoring can be used intraoperatively to objectively characterize neuraxial anesthesia (i.e. spinal and caudal blockade) in pediatric patients undergoing surgery. The investigators will also attempt to measure the effect of adjunctive intrathecal clonidine on spinal and caudal blockade using EMG. This study also aims to quantify the impact of sevoflurane on basal muscle tone based on EMG changes. This study aims to generate pilot data on this subject to help design future studies.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study aims to investigate how non-invasive, non-significant risk EMG monitoring can be used intraoperatively to objectively characterize neuraxial anesthesia (i.e. spinal and caudal blockade) in pediatric patients undergoing surgery. The investigators will also attempt to measure the effect of adjunctive intrathecal clonidine on spinal and caudal blockade using EMG. This study also aims to quantify the impact of sevoflurane on basal muscle tone based on EMG changes. This study aims to generate pilot data on this subject to help design future studies. The hypothesis is that EMG monitoring can be utilized to objectively measure neuraxial blockade, including onset, resolution, density, and dermatomal level.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
80

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

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 Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Ohio
      • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43205
        • Nationwide Children's 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

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Group 1 (GA + penile block): age 5 years or below getting: circumcision or circumcision revision
  • Group 2-5 (SA or GA + CA): age 5 years or below getting: penile or scrotal surgery, inguinal hernia repair, Achilles tendon lengthening, other applicable urological procedures
  • Group 6 (GA only): age 5 years or below getting: operative dentistry, urological or ENT procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

  • parent refusal
  • systemic infection
  • spine or CNS abnormalities
  • medication allergy
  • adhesive allergy

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: Other
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: General Anesthesia with Penile Block
Penile block: prior to the start of surgery 0.5mg/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine w/o epinephrine will be administered GA : Inhalation induction with sevoflurane followed by peripheral IV access, and placement of an endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask airway. No intravenous neuromuscular blockade will be given. Sevoflurane is FDA approved for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adults and pediatric patients.
Device: BlockSynop surface electromyography device
The EMG monitor uses non-invasive surface electrodes that measures electrical activity in response to muscle stimulation. After all electrodes have been placed on the patient, the electrodes will be connected to a prototype non-significant risk device (NSR) BlockSynop surface electromyography device and monitoring of sEMG signal will begin. The device is a non-invasive and non-significant risk device.
Active Comparator: Spinal Anesthesia with Clonidine
Spinal block: 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine (0.2mL/kg up to 1mL), with or without 1mcg/kg clonidine Clonidine is an FDA approved medication that is commonly administered as an adjunct to SA and CA in this population.
Device: BlockSynop surface electromyography device
The EMG monitor uses non-invasive surface electrodes that measures electrical activity in response to muscle stimulation. After all electrodes have been placed on the patient, the electrodes will be connected to a prototype non-significant risk device (NSR) BlockSynop surface electromyography device and monitoring of sEMG signal will begin. The device is a non-invasive and non-significant risk device.
Drug: Clonidine
Clonidine is an alpha-2-agonist which is commonly used as an adjunct in spinal anesthesia and caudal anesthesia to improve both the quality and duration of blockade.
Active Comparator: Spinal Anesthesia without Clonidine
Spinal block: 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine (0.2mL/kg up to 1mL), with or without 1mcg/kg clonidine
Device: BlockSynop surface electromyography device
The EMG monitor uses non-invasive surface electrodes that measures electrical activity in response to muscle stimulation. After all electrodes have been placed on the patient, the electrodes will be connected to a prototype non-significant risk device (NSR) BlockSynop surface electromyography device and monitoring of sEMG signal will begin. The device is a non-invasive and non-significant risk device.
Active Comparator: General Anesthesia with Caudal Anesthesia with Clonidine
Caudal block: single-shot caudal injection following induction of GA with 1mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine, with or without clonidine 1mcg/kg Clonidine is an FDA approved medication that is commonly administered as an adjunct to SA and CA in this population.
Device: BlockSynop surface electromyography device
The EMG monitor uses non-invasive surface electrodes that measures electrical activity in response to muscle stimulation. After all electrodes have been placed on the patient, the electrodes will be connected to a prototype non-significant risk device (NSR) BlockSynop surface electromyography device and monitoring of sEMG signal will begin. The device is a non-invasive and non-significant risk device.
Drug: Clonidine
Clonidine is an alpha-2-agonist which is commonly used as an adjunct in spinal anesthesia and caudal anesthesia to improve both the quality and duration of blockade.
Drug: Sevoflurane
5.3. Sevoflurane is FDA approved for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adults and pediatric patients.
Active Comparator: General Anesthesia with Caudal Anesthesia without Clonidine
Caudal block: single-shot caudal injection following induction of GA with 1mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine, with or without clonidine 1mcg/kg
Device: BlockSynop surface electromyography device
The EMG monitor uses non-invasive surface electrodes that measures electrical activity in response to muscle stimulation. After all electrodes have been placed on the patient, the electrodes will be connected to a prototype non-significant risk device (NSR) BlockSynop surface electromyography device and monitoring of sEMG signal will begin. The device is a non-invasive and non-significant risk device.
Drug: Sevoflurane
5.3. Sevoflurane is FDA approved for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adults and pediatric patients.
Active Comparator: General Anesthesia only
GA alone: Inhalation induction with sevoflurane followed by peripheral IV access, and placement of an endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask airway. No intravenous neuromuscular blockade will be given. Sevoflurane is FDA approved for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adults and pediatric patients.
Device: BlockSynop surface electromyography device
The EMG monitor uses non-invasive surface electrodes that measures electrical activity in response to muscle stimulation. After all electrodes have been placed on the patient, the electrodes will be connected to a prototype non-significant risk device (NSR) BlockSynop surface electromyography device and monitoring of sEMG signal will begin. The device is a non-invasive and non-significant risk device.
Drug: Sevoflurane
5.3. Sevoflurane is FDA approved for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adults and pediatric patients.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Determine onset of spinal anesthesia and caudal + general anesthesia using surface EMG as measured by power of signal amplitude.
Time Frame: Preoperative placement through resolution of motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery - up to one day.
Performance of non-invasive surface EMG following administration of regional and/or general anesthesia. This will be assessed by EMG signal amplitude.
Preoperative placement through resolution of motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery - up to one day.
Determine duration of spinal anesthesia and caudal + general anesthesia using surface EMG as measured by power of signal amplitude. .
Time Frame: Preoperative placement through resolution of motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery - up to one day.
Performance of non-invasive surface EMG following administration of regional and/or general anesthesia. This will be assessed by EMG signal amplitude.
Preoperative placement through resolution of motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery - up to one day.
Determine density of spinal anesthesia and caudal + general anesthesia using surface EMG as measured by power of signal amplitude.
Time Frame: Preoperative placement through resolution of motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery - up to one day.
Performance of non-invasive surface EMG following administration of regional and/or general anesthesia. This will be assessed by EMG signal amplitude.
Preoperative placement through resolution of motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery - up to one day.
Determine dermatomal level of spinal anesthesia and caudal + general anesthesia using surface EMG as measured by power of signal amplitude.
Time Frame: Preoperative placement through resolution of motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery - up to one day.
Performance of non-invasive surface EMG following administration of regional and/or general anesthesia. This will be assessed by EMG signal amplitude.
Preoperative placement through resolution of motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery - up to one day.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Determine objective effect of clonidine, a common additive to neuraxial blockade in children on the measures described above when SA and CA are used as defined as the onset of SA or CA and measured by the power of signal amplitude.
Time Frame: Intraoperative time frame through motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery.
Determine objective effect of clonidine, a common additive to neuraxial blockade in children on the measures described above when SA and CA are used.
Intraoperative time frame through motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery.
Determine objective effect of clonidine, a common additive to neuraxial blockade in children on the measures described above when SA and CA are used as defined as the duration of SA or CA and measured by the power of signal amplitude.
Time Frame: Intraoperative time frame through motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery.
Determine objective effect of clonidine, a common additive to neuraxial blockade in children on the measures described above when SA and CA are used.
Intraoperative time frame through motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery.
Determine objective effect of clonidine, a common additive to neuraxial blockade in children on the measures described above when SA and CA are used as defined as the density of SA or CA and measured by the power of signal amplitude.
Time Frame: Intraoperative time frame through motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery.
Determine objective effect of clonidine, a common additive to neuraxial blockade in children on the measures described above when SA and CA are used.
Intraoperative time frame through motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery.
Determine objective effect of clonidine, a common additive to neuraxial blockade in children on the measures described above when SA and CA are used as defined as the dermatomal level of SA or CA and measured by the power of signal amplitude.
Time Frame: Intraoperative time frame through motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery.
Determine objective effect of clonidine, a common additive to neuraxial blockade in children on the measures described above when SA and CA are used.
Intraoperative time frame through motor blockade in the PACU. Timeframe being day of surgery.
Quantify the impact of sevoflurane (%) on basal muscle tone based on EMG signal amplitudes.
Time Frame: Intraoperative time frame. Timeframe being day of surgery.
Quantify the impact of sevoflurane (%) on basal muscle tone based on EMG signal amplitudes.
Intraoperative time frame. Timeframe being day of surgery.

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Nationwide Children's Hospital

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Grant Heydinger, MD, Nationwide Children's 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)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 9, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
February 28, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
February 28, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 20, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 27, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 29, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 4, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • STUDY00002844

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

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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