RF Denervation and Brain Imaging
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Radiofrequency denervation and Brain structure, function and connectivity in chronic Low Back Pain patients
IRAS ID
316764
Contact name
Saravanakumar Kanakarajan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Grampian
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Low back pain is one of the most common pain conditions and is the leading cause of years lived with disability. The management is challenging due to the heterogeneity of clinical presentation and includes self-management, pain killers, targeted injections as well as pain management programs. Brain MRI scans have identified networks of brain regions and changes in their activity in chronic low back pain (cLBP) patients. The scans have also been used to explore treatment-induced changes in brain and its activity.
Radiofrequency denervation (RFD) of medial branch nerves is a NICE recommended treatment for a sub-group of cLBP sufferers. There are inter-individual variations in the response to RFD, which have been difficult to predict. The brain MRI scans can be used to better understand the effects of RFD on brain structure and function, and to predict those most likely to benefit from the interventions. So, we propose pilot study to investigate brain regions, their patterns and change after RFD treatment in this subgroup of cLBP sufferers.
Eligible patients will have 3 brain MRI scans at various time intervals - Baseline, after nerve block and after RFD. These brain scans will be analysed to provide the foundations for new studies such as improved selection of patients most likely to benefit from the treatment; improved understanding of mechanisms of the RFD treatment; and develop objective measurements that could be used in future trials of pain treatments.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/1663
Date of REC Opinion
10 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion