Completed

NCT Number: NCT07068451

Greater Occipital Nerve Block Alone Versus Dual Nerve Block in Cervicogenic Headache and Occipital Neuralgia

This study looked at two types of nerve block injections used to treat people with cervicogenic headache (CEH) and occipital neuralgia (ON)-two painful conditions that often cause pain at the back of the head and neck. The injections target nerves in the upper neck that may be causing the pain.

The researchers compared:

One nerve injection (greater occipital nerve block, or GONB), versus

Two nerve injections (GONB plus lesser occipital nerve block, or LONB).

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Key information

Conditions

Ervicogenic Headache (CEH) Occipital Neuralgia (ON)

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Latakia

Latakia, Syria

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Adults aged 18 to 65 years

Clinical diagnosis of cervicogenic headache (CEH) and/or occipital neuralgia (ON) according to ICHD-3 criteria

Pain duration of more than 3 months

Pain localized to the occipital region, consistent with the distribution of the greater and/or lesser occipital nerves

Inadequate response to conservative therapy (e.g., analgesics, physiotherapy)

Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Previous nerve block or other interventional procedures for headache

Use of systemic corticosteroids within the past 3 months

Known allergy to lidocaine or other amide-type local anesthetics

Evidence of secondary causes of headache on imaging (e.g., tumor, infection)

Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Active infection at the injection site

Coagulopathy or use of anticoagulant therapy

Significant psychiatric or neurological comorbidities interfering with study participation

Treatment and study plan

Greater Occipital Nerve Block (GONB)

Procedure

A landmark-guided injection of 1 mL of 2% lidocaine administered at the anatomical location of the greater occipital nerve (GON) to treat cervicogenic headache and occipital neuralgia. Performed without corticosteroids or imaging guidance.

Other names: Drug: Lidocaine 2%

Combined Greater and Lesser Occipital Nerve Block (GONB + LONB)

Procedure

Two landmark-guided injections of 1 mL of 2% lidocaine each at the anatomical locations of the greater and lesser occipital nerves. Performed without corticosteroids or imaging, targeting broader nerve involvement in cervicogenic headache and occipital neuralgia.

Other names: Drug: Lidocaine 2%

Primary outcomes

Change in pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

Time frame: Baseline, 24 hours, 3 weeks, and 3 months post-intervention

ain intensity was assessed using a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating the worst pain imaginable. VAS scores were recorded at baseline and follow-up visits.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Tishreen University Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Greater Occipital Nerve Block Alone Versus Dual Nerve Blockade in the Management of Cervicogenic Headache and Occipital Neuralgia

Important dates

Study start: 2020
Primary completion: 2023
Study completion: 2023
First posted: Jul 16, 2025
Registry last updated: Jul 16, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.