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Local Anesthetic
Trigger Point Injections vs Lidocaine Patch for Myofascial Pain
Phase 4
Waitlist Available
Led By Jonathan Lee, MD
Research Sponsored by University of California, Irvine
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial Must have
18 years or older
Be older than 18 years old
Must not have
Midline spinal tenderness
Altered or deemed incapable of making informed consent
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up from initiation of the study up to the point the patient is discharged from the emergency department
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group
All Individual Drugs Already Approved
Pivotal Trial
Drug Has Already Been Approved
Summary
This trial is testing two methods to relieve muscle pain in patients with back and neck pain in the Emergency Department. One method uses injections of a numbing medicine called lidocaine directly into painful muscle spots, while the other uses patches that release lidocaine through the skin. Both aim to reduce pain by numbing the affected area. Lidocaine is a well-recognized medium-acting local anesthetic used for managing both acute and chronic pain in various medical settings.
Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults with myofascial pain in the neck or back, identified by a specific tender spot that recreates their pain when pressed. It's not for those with spinal tenderness, nerve root pain symptoms (radiculopathy), pregnant individuals, people allergic to lidocaine, those unable to consent, or if there's infection/skin issues at the pain site.
What is being tested?
The study compares two treatments for easing myofascial back and neck pain in emergency settings: one group receives trigger point injections with 1% lidocaine directly into painful spots; another gets patches containing 5% lidocaine applied on the skin over these areas.
What are the potential side effects?
Possible side effects include discomfort at injection sites for those getting injections and skin irritation where patches are applied. Lidocaine can sometimes cause numbness of the area, tingling sensations, dizziness or an allergic reaction.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria belowSelect...
I am 18 years old or older.
Exclusion Criteria
You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:Select...
I have pain in the middle of my spine.
Select...
I am capable of understanding and consenting to participate.
Select...
I have symptoms caused by a pinched nerve in my spine.
Select...
I have signs of infection or skin issues over a specific area.
Timeline
Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~ 0 minutes and 20-minutes post- treatment, and every 30-60 minutes thereafter until discharge or admission and we will give the patient a hand out so that they can record their pain scores for up to 5 days after their emergency department visit.
Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~0 minutes and 20-minutes post- treatment, and every 30-60 minutes thereafter until discharge or admission and we will give the patient a hand out so that they can record their pain scores for up to 5 days after their emergency department visit.
Treatment Details
Study Objectives
Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.Primary study objectives
absolute change in Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of pain
Secondary study objectives
disposition times
satisfaction/experience surveys regarding their treatment
use of other medications for treatment of pain including medications administered
Awards & Highlights
No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.
All Individual Drugs Already Approved
Therapies where all constituent drugs have already been approved are likely to have better-understood side effect profiles.
Pivotal Trial
The final step before approval, pivotal trials feature drugs that have already shown basic safety & efficacy.
Drug Has Already Been Approved
The FDA has already approved this drug, and is just seeking more data.
Trial Design
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Trigger point with 1% LidocaineExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
The physician will withdraw 1cc of 1% lidocaine in a 25g needle, sterilely prep the field with a Chloraprep applicator, use index, and middle finger to squeeze the borders of the trigger point and raise the central aspect of the trigger point, insert the needle at 90-degree angle up to 5/8' deep, inject 1cc of the 1% lidocaine after ensuring needle is not in a blood vessel, removing the needle, and then covering the insertion site with a sterile bandage.
Group II: 5% Lidocaine PatchActive Control1 Intervention
5% lidocaine patch will be placed at the point of maximal tenderness upon palpation. Location of placement will be described and instructed by physician and placed by nursing staff.
Research Highlights
Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
Common treatments for Myofascial Pain Syndrome, such as trigger point injections with 1% lidocaine, work by providing localized pain relief through the inhibition of nerve signal transmission. Lidocaine blocks sodium channels on nerve cells, preventing the propagation of pain signals.
This mechanism is particularly important for MPS patients as it directly targets the hyperactive nerve signals that cause muscle pain and tenderness, offering immediate and effective pain relief.
Antihyperalgesic effect of tetrodotoxin in rat models of persistent muscle pain.Differential effects of low dose lidocaine on C-fiber classes in humans.Long-term effect of sciatic nerve block with slow-release lidocaine in a rat model of postoperative pain.
Antihyperalgesic effect of tetrodotoxin in rat models of persistent muscle pain.Differential effects of low dose lidocaine on C-fiber classes in humans.Long-term effect of sciatic nerve block with slow-release lidocaine in a rat model of postoperative pain.
Find a Location
Who is running the clinical trial?
University of California, IrvineLead Sponsor
566 Previous Clinical Trials
1,932,938 Total Patients Enrolled
Jonathan Lee, MDPrincipal InvestigatorUCI Department of Emergency Medicine
Media Library
Eligibility Criteria:
This trial includes the following eligibility criteria:- I have pain in the middle of my spine.You are allergic to lidocaine.I am capable of understanding and consenting to participate.I have symptoms caused by a pinched nerve in my spine.I have signs of infection or skin issues over a specific area.I am 18 years old or older.I have been diagnosed with muscle pain in my neck or back, confirmed by a specific tender spot.
Research Study Groups:
This trial has the following groups:- Group 1: 5% Lidocaine Patch
- Group 2: Trigger point with 1% Lidocaine
Awards:
This trial has 4 awards, including:- No Placebo-Only Group - All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.
- All Individual Drugs Already Approved - Therapies where all constituent drugs have already been approved are likely to have better-understood side effect profiles.
- Pivotal Trial - The final step before approval, pivotal trials feature drugs that have already shown basic safety & efficacy.
- Drug Has Already Been Approved - The FDA has already approved this drug, and is just seeking more data.
Timeline:
This trial has the following timeline:- Screening: It may take up to 3 Weeks to process to see if you qualify in this trial.
- Treatment: The duration you will receive the treatment varies.
- Follow Ups: You may be asked to continue sharing information regarding the trial for 6 Months after you stop receiving the treatment.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT05151510 — Phase 4