An observational study in Postherpetic Neuralgia, Neuropathic Pain and Herpes Zoster, sponsored by Diskapi Teaching and Research Hospital. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 80 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-25.
Sponsored by Diskapi Teaching and Research Hospital · Observational
This observational study aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block and transcutaneous radiofrequency (RF) treatment in patients with postherpetic neuralgia. Pain intensity and neuropathic pain characteristics will be evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Self-Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) score.
Postherpetic neuralgia is a challenging neuropathic pain condition that significantly affects quality of life. In routine clinical practice, patients are treated with either ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block or transcutaneous radiofrequency therapy based on clinician preference and experience.
This observational study includes patients who have already completed one of these treatments as part of standard care in the Algology Clinic. No randomization or modification of treatment plans was performed for research purposes. Patients will be divided into two cohorts according to the treatment they received. Treatment outcomes will be retrospectively evaluated and compared using VAS and S-LANSS scores before treatment, immediately after treatment, and at 1-month follow-up.
196 studies on the registry are indexed under Neuralgia, Postherpetic; 28 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 50 is below the median of 147 across 28 observational studies indexed under Neuralgia, Postherpetic.
Browse Neuralgia, Postherpetic studies →Diskapi Teaching and Research Hospital is the lead sponsor of 106 studies on the registry; 13 are open to participants now.
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Patients aged 18 to 80 years diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia involving cervical, thoracic, or lumbar dermatomes who underwent either ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block or transcutaneous radiofrequency treatment as part of routine clinical care. Patients were included if they had persistent pain despite conservative treatment and a baseline Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score greater than 5. All treatments were completed prior to study enrollment, and no changes were made to clinical management for research purposes.
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Diagnosis of postherpetic neuralgia involving cervical, thoracic, or lumbar regions
Age between 18 and 80 years
Persistent pain despite conservative treatment
Baseline VAS score > 5
Exclusion Criteria:
Ophthalmic or extremity postherpetic neuralgia
Allergy to local anesthetics
Pregnancy
Coagulopathy or use of antiplatelet therapy
Cognitive impairment preventing
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.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Patients with postherpetic neuralgia who received ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block as part of routine clinical care.
Procedure: Erector Spinae Plane Block
Patients with postherpetic neuralgia who received transcutaneous radiofrequency treatment applied adjacent to the lesion area as part of routine clinical care
Procedure: Erector Spinae Plane Block
1. Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block performed under sterile conditions as part of routine clinical care. After skin antisepsis, a 22-G spinal needle was advanced to the erector spinae plane at the level corresponding to the affected dermatome, and a total volume of 10 mL consisting of dexamethasone, bupivacaine, and normal saline was injected. Patients were observed post-procedure according to standard clinical practice. 2. Transcutaneous radiofrequency treatment applied adjacent to the affected dermatome as part of routine clinical care. Adhesive surface electrodes were placed over the painful area, and pulsed electrical stimulation was delivered by the device for 10 minutes per session. The procedure was performed once weekly for two sessions, without any modification for research purposes.
Also known as: Transcutaneous Radiofrequency
VAS
Pain intensity assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS): is a simple tool used in clinical trials to measure pain intensity. Patients rate their pain on a scale, typically from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). It provides a quick, quantitative assessment of subjective pain and is commonly used to evaluate treatment effectiveness before and after intervention.
Time frame: Baseline, post-procedure 1 month
S-LANSS
Neuropathic pain characteristics were assessed using the Self-report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) questionnaire. The S-LANSS is a validated self-administered screening tool consisting of seven items evaluating pain quality and sensory abnormalities, including burning sensation, electric shock-like pain, dysesthesia, and altered skin sensitivity. Total scores range from 0 to 24, with scores ≥12 indicating a probable neuropathic pain component. The questionnaire has demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity for identifying neuropathic pain in both clinical and research settings.
Time frame: Baseline, post-procedure 1 month
Plan to share: No
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