The Potential of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation to Improve Pain Experienced During Posterior Branch Blocks in Patients With Lumbar Posterior Joint Syndrome

NCT07627490 · tracked via the Priya Life Science France tracker

Sponsor

University Hospital, Toulouse

Phase

Not applicable

Started

2026-09-01

Last updated

2026-06-04

Condition(s) studied

Lower Back Pain Chronic

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Stimulation with TENS, which allows the release of endorphinsStimulation with TENS does not allow the release of endorphinsQuestionnaires

Stimulation with TENS, which allows the release of endorphins: Stimulation with TENS at frequencies that allow the release of endorphins before infiltration

Stimulation with TENS does not allow the release of endorphins: Stimulation with TENS at levels that do not allow the release of endorphins prior to infiltration

Questionnaires: Pain questionnaires will need to be completed at the inclusion, one month and 3 months

Study summary

Procedural pain is inadequately managed in two-thirds of patients undergoing invasive medical procedures. Several techniques exist for managing procedural pain, but they all present implementation challenges and are not without side effects. Therefore, a new, non-pharmacological, inexpensive, and easy-to-use approach would be of significant benefit. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief could represent this alternative. Few studies have been conducted on the benefits of TENS in managing procedural pain, for example, in shoulder arthrodistension. This project proposes to study it in the context of posterior ramus infiltration in patients eligible for this indication, in the context of chronic low back pain associated with posterior joint syndrome.

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Min age

18 Years

Max age

—

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria: * Chronic low back pain (lasting more than 3 months) * Patient followed in a Chronic Pain Unit (CETD, Toulouse University Hospital) * Clinical and radiological diagnosis (CT scan or MRI) of posterior joint syndrome * Patient with an indication for infiltration therapy, feasible under standard conditions Exclusion Criteria: * Spinal surgery * Contraindications for TENS: * Wearing an electronic medical device (pacemakers, defibrillators, etc.) * Pregnancy * Area of cutaneous anesthesia * Patient with an active malignant tumor * Patient with deep vein thrombosis * Patient with damaged or fragile skin * Insulin-dependent or uncontrolled diabetes * Uncontrolled hypertension * Allergy to the local anesthetics used * Severe psychiatric disorder * Lumbar injection within the previous 6 months

Primary outcome measure(s)

Comparison of the intensity of pain experienced during the infiltration procedure between the intervention group and the placebo group — 3 months after the inclusion
Pain assessment using the visual analog scale

Trial sites (1)

Facility	City	Region	Status
Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Pierre Paul Riquet, Place du Docteur Baylac	Toulouse	France

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Official registry record

This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.

View NCT07627490 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ← All trials in France