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NCT Number: NCT07207356

Ultrasound Guided Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency for Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a painful condition caused by irritation of the cervical nerve roots, often leading to neck, shoulder, and arm pain, sometimes with numbness or weakness. These symptoms can reduce quality of life and place a burden on healthcare systems. Current treatments, such as physical therapy, cervical traction, and medication, are often not fully effective. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) has shown benefits for nerve-related pain, but because it requires an invasive procedure, its use is limited.

Transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (TCPRF) is a non-invasive version of PRF. It has shown promising results in animal studies and in clinical research for knee and shoulder conditions, but has not been tested for CR. Recent improvements in ultrasound allow more precise targeting of cervical nerve roots, making ultrasound-guided TCPRF a potentially safe and accessible treatment option.

This pilot study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided TCPRF in patients with CR compared to a sham treatment. A total of 32 participants with CR lasting more than six weeks will be randomly assigned to either TCPRF or sham treatment. Both groups will receive 12 treatment sessions over four weeks, combined with a standard rehabilitation program.

The main outcome is pain intensity measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes include neck-related disability, medication use, and any side effects.

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Key information

Conditions

Cervical Radiculopathy Nervous System Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Radiculopathy

Age range

20 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 20 and 75 years old.
  • Clinical diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy, defined by:
  • Presence of neck pain or paresthesia radiating to the unilateral upper extremity with radicular and dermatomal pattern;
  • Positive Spurling's test;
  • Positive cervical distraction test
  • Symptoms lasting for over 6 weeks
  • Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for arm pain ≥ 4 out of 10
  • MRI or CT-confirmed nerve root compression, corresponding to clinical symptoms.
  • Able to provide written informed consent and comply with study procedures

Exclusion criteria

  • History of cervical spine surgery.
  • Motor deficit on involving limb
  • Presence of axial neck pain without radicular symptoms
  • Symptoms from shoulder, elbow, or wrist joint or other musculoskeletal co-morbidity such as rheumatologic disease or carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Evidence of serious underlying pathology (e.g., tumor, infection, fracture, or myelopathy)
  • Prior exposure to epidural steroid injection or pulsed radiofrequency therapy within the past 6 months
  • Presence of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • History of epilepsy or electronic devices implanted in the body
  • Active infection or skin disease at the stimulator contact site
  • Allergy to electrode patch
  • Unable to understand the study protocol or provide written

Treatment and study plan

true transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency

Device

participants will receive ultrasound guidance to localize the target cervical nerve root (e.g., C5-C7) before treatment. A high-frequency linear transducer will be used with the patient in a sitting position. Transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (TCPRF) will be applied using the StimOn™ Pain Relief System (GM2439, Gimer Medical Co., Ltd, Taiwan; FDA 510(k) No. K213802). The device delivers a 500-kHz symmetric biphasic sine wave at 2 Hz with a 25-ms pulse. Each session lasts 30 minutes, divided into two 15-minute phases, with treatment administered 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions in total).

Sham device

Device

participants will receive ultrasound guidance to localize the target cervical nerve root (e.g., C5-C7) before treatment. A high-frequency linear transducer will be used with the patient in a sitting position. Sham device will be applied. No active current will be delivered. Each session lasts 30 minutes, divided into two 15-minute phases, with treatment administered 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions in total).

Primary outcomes

  1. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

    Time frame: baseline, at the end of week 2, at the end of week 4 (post-treatment), and at a 3-month follow-up after the intervention

    Participants will rate their average pain over the past week on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Neck Disability Index (NDI)

    Time frame: baseline, at the end of week 2, at the end of week 4 (post-treatment), and at a 3-month follow-up after the intervention

    The NDI consists of ten items. These include seven questions related to daily functional activities, two addressing symptom severity, and one focused on concentration. The total score is calculated by summing the responses to all items, with higher scores reflecting greater levels of disability. According to Vernon et al, scores of 0-4 indicate no disability, 5-14 indicate mild disability, 15-24 moderate disability, 25-34 severe disability, and scores above 35 reflect complete disability.

  2. medication usage

    Time frame: baseline, at the end of week 2, at the end of week 4 (post-treatment), and at a 3-month follow-up after the intervention

    During the intervention and follow-up period, participants who experience unbearable pain will be allowed to take rescue medication, consisting of 500 mg of oral acetaminophen up to four times per day. The frequency and amount of rescue medication used will be documented at each assessment point.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Yu-Ting Lin, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

886-2-28332211

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Efficacy of Ultrasound Guided Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency for Cervical Radiculopathy: a Randomized, Sham-controlled, Double-blind Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Oct 6, 2025
Registry last updated
May 13, 2026

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.

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