Study Evaluating the Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia

Over 100 million patients in the United States suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain conditions are often debilitating, taking a toll on a patient's physical and mental welfare. Though a variety of pain management techniques currently exist, the most common nonsurgical options provide slow-acting and/or short-term relief. Medication, often in the form of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids, comes with an array of side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Medication also presents the possibility of more serious effects such as increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and tolerance or dependency issues. Surgical strategies tend to be reserved for more severe cases and are limited by the risks and complications typically associated with surgery including bleeding, bruising, scarring, and infection. A nonsurgical, minimally invasive, long-lasting approach to chronic pain management is desirable.

Myoscience, Inc. (Redwood City, CA) has developed a pain management device - the Cryo-Touch III - for a novel, minimally invasive procedure using focused cold therapy to target sensory nerve tissue and offer long-lasting pain relief through cryoanalgesia. The device operates on the well-established cryobiology principle that localized exposure to controlled, moderately low temperature conditions can alter tissue function. The therapy treats nerves via a probe in the form of an assembly of small diameter needles, creating a highly localized, low temperature treatment zone around the probe. This focused cold therapy creates a conduction block that prevents nerve signaling. Prior studies of the Cryo-Touch, Cryo-Touch II, Cryo-Touch III (a.k.a. PCP 1.0) devices have provided preliminary evidence of effectiveness on motor nerves and have been shown to be safe with no serious device-related adverse events.

Though studies have proven efficacious in targeting motor nerves, the device's effect on sensory nerves has yet to be investigated in the clinical setting. The goal of the study described herein is to evaluate the degree and duration of effect of the Cryo-Touch III in reducing chronic pain by targeting sensory nerves.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female, 18 years of age and older. Female subjects of childbearing potential must not be pregnant at time of treatment.
• A confirmed diagnosis of occipital neuralgia (unilateral or bilateral) .
• Any medication must be maintained on a stable schedule for at least two weeks prior to treatment. No washout period is allowed.
• Must have an average score for pain of ≥ 4/10 Visual Analog Scale (VAS) over the last 7 days.
• Subject is willing and able to give written informed consent and able to comply with study instructions.

Exclusion criteria

• Current diagnosis of fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, or chronic migraines.
• Any injections intended for pain relief or neuromodulation to the upper trunk or head within the last 3 months.
• History of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), head trauma, stroke, or bone deformity.
• Patient who has severe pain for any reason other than occipital neuralgia.
• Any use of (i.e. oral, topical, inhaled and/or injected) anesthetics or steroids within the last 30 days.
• Any previous surgery in the intended treatment area.
• Currently enrolled in any other investigational drug or device study or participation within the last 30 days.
• Any clotting disorder and/or use of any anticoagulant (e.g., warfarin, clopidogrel, etc.) within seven (7) days prior to administration of the treatment.
• Allergy or intolerance to any preparatory treatment agent or any other substance utilized within the study.
• Any local skin condition at the treatment site that would adversely affect treatment or subject safety.
• Any confounding diagnosis or medical condition that in the investigator's opinion would adversely affect study participation or subject safety.
• Any chronic medication use (prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, etc.) that in the investigator's opinion would adversely affect study participation or subject safety.