An interventional study of B Braun HNS 12 nerve stimulator and B Braun HNS 12 nerve stimulator sham control in Pain Syndrome and Pain Management, sponsored by Stanford University. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-10.
Sponsored by Stanford University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Peripheral nerve blocks are routinely used and highly successful for intra-operative anesthesia and post-operative pain management. Nerve blocks are guided using either neurostimulation as a means to localize the right nerve or by ultrasound guidance or combining the 2 methods. The purpose of this study is to assess whether electrical stimulation improves nerve block quality, beyond its simple purpose of nerve localization.
The investigators wish to understand how electrical stimulation can affect local anesthetic disposition when performing a peripheral nerve block.
By studying this subject, the investigators open possibilities for improvement on many levels:
increasing the efficacy of the nerve block allows for a reduced onset time, reduced incidence of incomplete block, and prolonged duration of the local anesthetics. This allows for patients to fully benefit from the analgesic properties of the nerve block, allows for a decrease in delays for the operating room readiness, and a allows for a decrease in the amount of medication needed for a successful nerve block. This will decrease side effects and risks of the nerve blocks. Overall better post-surgical pain control may decrease risks for developing chronic post-operative pain, a major post-operative complication.
The results of this study will open the door to novel approaches to manage acute post-operative pain.
Stanford University is the lead sponsor of 2,168 studies on the registry; 431 are open to participants now.
Of its 267 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 207 (78%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The anaesthetists’ scale of health before surgery: I is healthy, II has a mild illness that is under control, III a severe one, IV a severe illness that is a constant threat to life. V and VI are used for the critically ill and for organ donors.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe out, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
ASA physical status
The anaesthetists’ scale of health before surgery: I is healthy, II has a mild illness that is under control, III a severe one, IV a severe illness that is a constant threat to life. V and VI are used for the critically ill and for organ donors.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe out, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Patients will receive a brachial plexus catheter with ultrasound guidance as per standard of care, with additional use of the B. Braun HNS 12 nerve stimulator during the loading dose of local anesthesia to maintain a gentle twitch.
Device: B Braun HNS 12 nerve stimulator
Patients will receive the brachial plexus catheter in the same way the first arm would, and the B Braun nerve stimulator will be placed in the same way, but the ground electrode will not be connected to the patient.
Device: B Braun HNS 12 nerve stimulator sham control
Nerve stimulator that is traditionally used for nerve localization during block placements.
Stimulator will be placed and turned on, but the grounding electrode will not be connected to prevent nerve stimulation.
Onset of Motor Block
Determining time when patient experiences first symptoms of local anesthetic action on the upper trunk distribution (median or musculo cutaneous nerve)
Time frame: Within 1 hour after the block placement.
Onset of Sensory Block
Determining time when patient experiences first symptoms of local anesthetic action on the superior trunk distribution over the shoulder.
Time frame: Within 1 hour after the block placement.
Skin Temperature Change
Measuring changes in skin temperature over the course of pre and post stimulation and nerve blocking between the blocked and unblocked arms, measured in degrees Celsius. Using Medline Temperature Sensor.
Time frame: Immediately before and up to 1 hour after neurostimulation and nerve block is performed.
When Patient Experiences First Pain
Time after surgery at which the patient experiences first sign of pain at the surgical site, as measured by the time for first local anesthetic bolus based on pump device history.
Time frame: up to day 7 post operatively
Time of First Opioid Taken
As measured by asking patients if they were taking opioids daily after surgery, up to one week.
Time frame: Within the first 7 days after surgery
Total Post Operative MME/Opioid Usage at Day 1
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 1
Total Post Operative MME/Opioid Usage at Day 2
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 2
Total Post Operative MME Opioid Usage at Day 3
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 3
Total Post Operative MME Opioid Usage at Day 4
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 4
Total Post Operative MME Opioid Usage at Day 5
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 5
Total Post Operative MME Opioid Usage at Day 6
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 6
Opioid Usage Assessment at Day 7
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 7
Opioid Usage Assessment at Day 28
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients 1) if patients took opioids within the last 3 weeks and 2) if so, how many pills per day.
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 28
Opioid Usage Assessment at 6 Months
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients 1) if patients took opioids within the last 5 months and 2) if so, how many pills per day.
Time frame: On Post Operative Month 6
Opioid Usage Assessment at 1 Year
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients 1) if patients took opioids within the last 6 months and 2) if so, how many pills per day.
Time frame: On Post Operative 1 Year
Quality of Recovery
Using the standardized -Quality of Recovery 15- at post operative days 7 and 28, 6 months, and 1 year. Each item count on a 0-10 scale where 0 is worst and 10 is best. PART A How have you been feeling in the last 24 hours? (0 to 10, where 0 = none of the time \[poor\] and 10 = all of the time \[excellent\]) Q.1 Able to breathe easily Q.2 Been able to enjoy food Q.3 Feeling rested Q.4 Have had a good sleep Q.5 Able to look after personal toilet and hygiene unaided Q.6 Able to communicate with family or friends Q.7 Getting support from hospital doctors and nurses Q.8 Able to return to work or usual home activities Q.9 Feeling comfortable and in control Q.10 Having a feeling of general well-being PART B Have you had any of the following in the last 24 hours? (10 to 0, where 10 = none of the time \[excellent\] and 0 = all of the time \[poor\]) Q.11 Moderate pain Q.12 Severe pain Q.13 Nausea or vomiting Q.14 Feeling worried or anxious Q.15 Feeling sad or depressed
Time frame: At Post Operative days 7 and 28 , 6 months, and 1 year
General satisfaction
General satisfaction on a scale from 1-5 (extremely unsatisfied, unsatisfied, neutral, satisfy, extremely satisfied). Asking patients if they would receive the block again (Y/N).
Time frame: At post operative days 0, 1, 7, 28, 6 months, and 1 year
Adverse Events
Numbness, Weakness, Tingling, Breathing Difficulties, Hoarseness
Time frame: Asked to patients (Check all that apply) at Post Operative Day 0, 1, 7, 28, 6 Months, and 1 Year. Patients have the opportunity to specify in detail for each sympom they select.
Catheter Duration Before Discontinuation
Patients' catheter duration before discontinuation, as measured by Avoset pump device data.
Time frame: After surgery, up until catheter discontinuation.
Total Local Anesthetic Use with Catheter
Patients' local anesthetic use with catheter, as measured by Avoset pump device data.
Time frame: After surgery, up until catheter discontinuation.
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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