Offset Mechanisms in Evaluation of Lumbar Medial Branch Blocks (OMEGA)

University of Pittsburgh

Status

Enrolling

Conditions

Facet Joint Pain

Pain, Chronic

Analgesia

Pain, Procedural

Treatments

Behavioral: Computer Tasks

Behavioral: Cutaneous Probe

Behavioral: Quantitative Sensory Testing

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT05961800

STUDY23040122

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study examines the relationship between central nervous system (CNS) mechanisms of pain inhibition and the pain relief that occurs following a lumbar medial branch block (MBB).

Full description

This study examines the relationship between central nervous system (CNS) mechanisms of pain inhibition and the pain relief that occurs following a commonly-performed nerve block used to diagnose and treat chronic low back pain. Patients scheduled for lumbar medial branch blocks as part of routine clinical care will arrive to clinic prior to the block for quantitative sensory testing procedures that measure CNS pain modulation. Patients will then undergo treatment as usual with their block, subsequently reporting low back pain intensity in a pain diary.

Enrollment

40 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Scheduled for lumbar MBB in UPMC Pain Management clinics
Age > 18 years old
Predominantly axial chronic low back pain at least 3 months on a daily basis
Must meet the minimum criteria for cognitive function using the PROMIS 2-item cognitive screener (>3)
Low back pain intensity of > 3/10
Willing and able to receive study-related phone calls

Exclusion criteria

History of spine surgery at the level of the lumbar MBB
Active worker's compensation or litigation claims
New pain and/or psychiatric treatments within 2 weeks of enrollment
Not fluent in English and/or not able to complete the questionnaires
Any clinically unstable systemic illness that is judged to interfere with the study