An interventional study of Pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation and Ultrasound-guided phenol neurolysis in Post-Stroke Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain, sponsored by Assiut University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-07.
Sponsored by Assiut University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Among 10 studies in Shoulder Pain by Assiut University — 7 open to participants now, 7 under way, none of them phase 3. Shoulder Pain · Assiut University.
Among the 10 studies in Shoulder Pain by Assiut University, this one is one of 2 that started in 2026, is one of 7 with no phase, and was the 9th registered.
735 studies on the registry are indexed under Shoulder Pain; 167 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 70 is above the median of 60 across 587 interventional studies indexed under Shoulder Pain.
Browse Shoulder Pain studies →7 of the 10 studies in Shoulder Pain by Assiut University are open now, in 1 country. Each count lists the studies.
Of the 90 Shoulder Pain studies recruiting now, 24 (27%) set no upper age limit and 56 (62%) stop at 75 or younger; 3 take children under 18; 15 take healthy volunteers.
This study: 18 Years and older · all sexes · no healthy volunteers.
The full table on the hub →10 studies; the count open now beside each. This study's row is marked.
First in 2017; this study’s year is marked. 2 started in 2026.
Median enrollment 65 across the 8 interventional studies, 60 across the 2 observational. Of the 2 that completed or were terminated, 0 (0%) have results posted.
Assiut University is the lead sponsor of 5,078 studies on the registry; 2,178 are open to participants now.
Of its 14 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 0 (0%) have results posted.
4 of the studies in Shoulder Pain by Assiut University that are under way reach primary completion within a year, 0 of them phase 3. Phase 3 first, then by date:
| Study | Primary completion |
|---|---|
| NCT07262749Assiut UniversityIntraperitoneal Gas Drainage to Reduce Postoperative Shoulder Pain After Gynecologic Laparoscopy . | 2026-12-01 |
| NCT06335472Assiut UniversityThree Nerves Versus Suprascapular Nerve Radiofrequency Combined With Hydrodissection in Adhesive Capsulitis | 2027-02-03 |
| NCT07753759Assiut UniversityUltrasound-Guided Pulsed Radiofrequency Versus Phenol Neurolysis for Post-Stroke Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain | 2027-09-01 |
| NCT07837583Assiut UniversityUltrasound and Shear Wave Elastography for Assessment of the Quality of Rotator Cuff Muscles | 2027-10 |
Among the 10 studies in Shoulder Pain by Assiut University, from their registry updates:
Nothing recorded among them since 2026-09-25.
Post-stroke hemiplegic shoulder pain is a common complication that negatively affects upper limb function and quality of life. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation versus ultrasound-guided phenol neurolysis targeting the suprascapular, axillary, and lateral pectoral nerves in patients with post-stroke hemiplegic shoulder pain. The primary outcome is pain reduction, while secondary outcomes include shoulder function, spasticity, range of motion, quality of life, analgesic consumption, and adverse events during follow-up.
Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) is a common complication following stroke. It may lead to withdrawal from rehabilitation programs, reduced upper-limb movement and poorer functional recovery; therefore, timely pain control is relevant to rehabilitation participation and long-term outcome. [1] A systematic review reported wide variation in incidence and prevalence; pooled/meta-analytic estimates included incidence ranges around 10-22% and prevalence ranges around 22-47%, while individual studies varied more widely because of differences in timing, definitions and clinical settings. Risk factors include increased tone, impaired motor function, sensory impairment, shoulder subluxation, abnormal shoulder examination, hemispastical neglect and prior shoulder pain. [1,2] The cause of post-stroke HSP is often multifactorial. The mechanisms can be grouped into: (a) impaired motor control and tone changes; (b) soft-tissue lesions and (c) altered peripheral and central nervous activity, Because these mechanisms may overlap in the same patient, baseline clinical and ultrasound phenotyping will be used to document the dominant pain/spasticity pattern and to exclude structural shoulder pathology requiring surgical management. [1,3,4] Central sensitization, defined as increased responsiveness of nociceptive neurons in the central nervous system to normal or subthreshold afferent input, may contribute to persistent HSP. [4] Pulsed radiofrequency delivers radiofrequency current in intermittent pulses consisting of short periods of electrical stimulation, typically 20 ms, followed by longer silent phases, approximately 480 ms. This intermittent delivery allows heat dissipation and keeps target tissue temperature below approximately 42 degrees Celsius, thereby reducing the risk of thermal nerve injury. For this reason, the intervention is described in this enhanced protocol as PRF rather than conventional thermal radiofrequency ablation. This correction improves technical accuracy because the submitted synopsis described a PRF technique rather than destructive thermal ablation. [5] PRF stimulation may reduce pain through long-term depression of C-fiber-mediated spinal sensitization and several neuromodulatory effects on inflammatory and descending inhibitory pathways. The exact mechanism remains elucidated; therefore, the study will measure both pain and function rather than assuming a single mechanism of benefit. [5,6] Phenol is a neurolytic agent used to manage focal spasticity. Immediately after injection, phenol may produce a transient local anesthetic effect by reversibly blocking nerve conduction. At neurolytic concentrations, commonly around 5-6%, phenol causes protein denaturation with segmental demyelination, axonal degeneration, and Wallerian degeneration of exposed nerve fibers, interrupting nerve conduction and reducing overactivity. Because phenol can cause dysesthesia, pain, inflammation, hypotension or unintended motor/sensory effects, the protocol specifies ultrasound guidance, aspiration before injection, limited per-nerve volumes according to institutional SOP, post-procedure monitoring, and structured AE recording.
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.
Post-stroke shoulder pain on the hemiplegic side with VAS pain intensity >=4/10 during rest, passive movement or functional use.
Spasticity of target shoulder-girdle muscles with MAS score >=2. Stable medical condition allowing outpatient or inpatient interventional procedure.
Ability to provide written ; if the patient has a communication impairment, consent will follow institutional ethics-approved procedures involving legally authorized representatives when appropriate.
Expected ability to attend scheduled follow-up visits through 6 months
Exclusion Criteria:
Botulinum toxin injection to the target shoulder muscles within the previous 3-6 months.
Shoulder fracture, dislocation or rotator cuff tear requiring surgery. Active infection at the injection site. Known allergy or to phenol, local anesthetic, antiseptic solution or other procedure-related medication.
Coagulopathy, disorder or anticoagulant/antiplatelet treatment that cannot be safely managed according to local anesthesia/interventional-pain policy.
Severe uncontrolled medical illness, unstable cardiopulmonary disease, uncontrolled diabetes with active infection risk, or any condition judged by investigators to increase procedural risk.
Severe cognitive, behavioral, or communication impairment preventing reliable pain/outcome assessment unless a validated caregiver-assisted assessment approach is approved by the ethics committee.
Pregnancy or lactation, when applicable, because of procedural medication exposure and safety monitoring requirements.
Concurrent participation in another interventional trial that may affect shoulder pain, tone or function.
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.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
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.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Platelets
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Procedure: Pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation
Other: Ultrasound-guided phenol neurolysis
Ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency will be applied to radicular branch of suprascapular, axillary and lat pectoral nerves
Ultrasound-guided phenol injection will be applied to radicular branch of suprascapular, axillary and lat pectoral nerves
Change in shoulder pain intensity measured from baseline to 3 months
Change in shoulder pain intensity measured by 0-10 cm/point VAS from baseline to 3 months. The 3-month endpoint is selected as the primary endpoint because it is clinically meaningful for rehabilitation planning and allows comparison of medium-term response between neuromodulatory PRF and neurolytic phenol treatment.
Time frame: 3months
Pain intensity by VAS at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months.
Pain intensity by VAS at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months.
Time frame: 6 months
Patient Global Impression of Change (1-7)at 1, 3, and 6 month
Time frame: 6 months
Functional outcomes using SPADI.
Time frame: 6 months
Neuromuscular/shoulder ultrasound findings, including bursitis, tendinopathy, effusion, subluxation or other relevant pathology when assessed.
Time frame: 6 months
Technical success
Technical success is defined as successful ultrasound-guided identification of all predefined target nerves, correct needle placement, and complete delivery of the assigned intervention to all target nerves. The outcome will be reported as the proportion of participants in whom all criteria are achieved
Time frame: 6 months
Analgesic/rescue medication consumption during follow-up.
Time frame: 6 months
Shoulder ROM measured by goniometer using a standardized method and side-positioning protocol. [14
Time frame: 6 months
Shoulder spasticity using MAS, with predefined target muscle groups documented at baseline. [12]
Time frame: 6 months
No study locations are listed for this record.
Start is estimated for Sep 2026; primary completion for Sep 2027, 12 months later.
Of 349 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Shoulder Pain, half reached primary completion within 11 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 4 and three quarters within 27. This study's planned 12 months is close to that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 354 studies reached it within 11 months; a quarter within 4 and three quarters within 27.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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