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RecruitingNCT06684275Updated Dec 31, 2024

Comparison of Pulsed and Thermal Radiofrequency for Trigeminal Neuralgia

An interventional study of Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) and Pulsed and Thermal Radiofrequency (PRF + TRF) in Trigeminal Neuralgia, sponsored by Zagazig University. Recruiting at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-12-31.

Sponsored by Zagazig University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Mar 2025, 1 year 6 months ago, but the record still lists the study as recruiting.
  • Started Nov 2024; still recruiting 1 year 10 months later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
60
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 60 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) with Pulsed and Thermal Radiofrequency (PRF + TRF) in treating Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) in adults.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does PRF or PRF + TRF provide better pain relief for patients with trigeminal neuralgia?
  • What is the safety profile and complication rate of PRF versus PRF + TRF?

Researchers will compare the effects of PRF and PRF + TRF to see if thermal lesioning in addition to pulsed RF provides superior long-term pain relief and reduces the need for analgesic medication.

Participants will:

  • Undergo either PRF or PRF + TRF treatment targeting the trigeminal nerve.
  • Be assessed for pain relief, functional status, and adverse events over a 3-month follow-up period.
Read the detailed description

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) versus Pulsed and Thermal Radiofrequency (PRF + TRF) for treating Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN). Trigeminal neuralgia is a debilitating chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, causing intense facial pain.

The study will enroll participants with TN, randomized into two groups:

  • Group 1 (PRF): Patients will receive pulsed radiofrequency treatment with parameters set to standard levels for pain relief.
  • Group 2 (PRF + TRF): Patients will receive pulsed radiofrequency combined with thermal lesioning (60-70°C) to target the trigeminal nerve.

Both procedures will be performed under aseptic conditions with appropriate monitoring and anesthesia. The primary outcome will be pain reduction measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) over a 12-week period. Secondary outcomes include changes in medication consumption assessed by the Medication Quantification Scale III (MQS III) and the recording of procedure-related adverse events.

Participants will undergo follow-up assessments at Week 1, Week 4, and Week 12 post-treatment.

02

Conditions studied

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia

Keywords

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Pulsed Radiofrequency
  • Thermal Radiofrequency
  • Neuropathic Pain
  • Facial Pain
  • Radiofrequency Ablation
03

In context

Trigeminal Neuralgia

135 studies on the registry are indexed under Trigeminal Neuralgia; 44 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 60 is above the median of 40 across 92 interventional studies indexed under Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Browse Trigeminal Neuralgia studies →

Lead sponsor

Zagazig University is the lead sponsor of 447 studies on the registry; 75 are open to participants now.

Of its 5 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 0 (0%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 60 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 18-60 years.
  • Diagnosis of classical trigeminal neuralgia, as per the International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria
  • Patients experiencing unilateral, episodic facial pain for at least six months with a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score greater than 6, despite medical treatment.
  • Able to provide informed consent.
  • Agree to follow the study procedures and attend follow-up visits.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with secondary trigeminal neuralgia (e.g., due to tumors, multiple sclerosis).
  • Previous surgery or radiofrequency treatment for trigeminal neuralgia.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
  • Known allergies to anesthetics or other agents used in the procedure.
  • Significant psychiatric disorders that may interfere with pain assessment or study participation.
  • Coagulopathy or use of anticoagulants that contraindicate the procedure.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
60 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF)

    Participants in this group will receive pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment targeted to the trigeminal nerve. The procedure will involve a standard PRF protocol.

    Procedure: Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF)

  • Active comparator
    Pulsed and Thermal Radiofrequency (PRF + TRF)

    Participants in this group will receive a combination of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) and thermal radiofrequency (TRF). The TRF procedure will involve creating a thermal lesion at a target temperature in addition to the standard PRF treatment protocol.

    Procedure: Pulsed and Thermal Radiofrequency (PRF + TRF)

Interventions

  • ProcedurePulsed Radiofrequency (PRF)

    Participants will receive pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment targeting the trigeminal nerve to manage pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia. This non-ablative technique uses electrical pulses to modulate nerve function, aiming to provide pain relief without creating a thermal lesion.

  • ProcedurePulsed and Thermal Radiofrequency (PRF + TRF)

    Participants will receive a combination of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) and thermal radiofrequency (TRF) treatments targeting the trigeminal nerve. This approach combines the non-ablative effects of PRF with the thermal lesioning of TRF to provide long-term pain relief for trigeminal neuralgia.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain Relief - Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

    The primary outcome measure will be the level of pain relief, assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "worst possible pain." Pain levels will be recorded at baseline (pre-procedure), and at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-procedure.

    Time frame: Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-procedure

  2. Pain Relief - Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Additionally, pain relief will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a continuous scale ranging from 0 to 100 mm, where 0 represents "no pain" and 100 represents "worst possible pain." Pain levels will be recorded at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-procedure.

    Time frame: Baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-procedure

Secondary outcomes

  1. Medication Consumption

    Changes in medication consumption will be assessed using the Medication Quantification Scale III (MQS III) at 12 weeks post-procedure. This measure evaluates the impact of the interventions on the need for medications to manage trigeminal neuralgia.

    Time frame: 12 weeks post-procedure

  2. Procedure-Related Adverse Events

    Adverse events related to the interventions will be systematically recorded to evaluate the safety profile. Adverse events will be monitored and recorded immediately post-procedure and at follow-up visits at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-procedure.

    Time frame: Immediately post-procedure, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-procedure

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Zagazig University, Faculty of Medicine
    Zagazig, Sharkia 44519, Egypt
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — At this time, there is no plan to share individual participant data (IPD) with other researchers. This decision is based on considerations related to patient confidentiality, data privacy concerns, and the absence of a current infrastructure for secure data sharing. The primary results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific conferences, ensuring that the findings are accessible to the broader research community.

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Dec 31, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06684275
Lead sponsor
Zagazig University
Responsible party
Ahmed Awad Bessar (Assistant Professor of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Zagazig University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Nov 12, 2024
Start date
Nov 10, 2024
Primary completion
Mar 10, 2025 (estimated)
Completion
Apr 10, 2025 (estimated)
Last update
Dec 31, 2024

Study contacts

Ahmed A Bessar, MD, PhD
Contact
Ahmedawadbessar@gmail.com
+201000089595
Ahmed A Bessar, MD, PhD
principal investigator · Assistant Professor of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Zagazig Uni.

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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