Peripheral Neurostimulation for Nerve Block Placement

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Pain Syndrome

• Registration Number: NCT06566664
• Lead Sponsor: Stanford University

Brief Summary

Peripheral nerve blocks are routinely used and highly successful for intra-operative anesthesia and post-operative pain management. Nerve blocks are guided using either neurostimulation as a means to localize the right nerve or by ultrasound guidance or combining the 2 methods. The purpose of this study is to assess whether electrical stimulation improves nerve block quality, beyond its simple purpose of nerve localization.

Detailed Description

The investigators wish to understand how electrical stimulation can affect local anesthetic disposition when performing a peripheral nerve block.

By studying this subject, the investigators open possibilities for improvement on many levels:

increasing the efficacy of the nerve block allows for a reduced onset time, reduced incidence of incomplete block and prolonged duration of the local anesthetics. This allows for patients to fully benefit from the analgesic properties of the nerve block, allows for a decrease in delays for the operating room readiness, and a decrease in the amount of medication needed for a successful nerve block. This will decrease side effects and risks of the nerve blocks. Overall better post-surgical pain control may decrease risks for developing chronic post-operative pain, a major post-operative complication.

The results of this study will open the door to novel approaches to manage acute post-operative pain.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-08-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-08-20
• Study First Posted: 2024-08-22
• Status Verified: 2024-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-11-26
• Study Start: 2024-12-02
• Last Update Posted: 2024-12-02
• Primary Completion: 2025-12-30
• Study Completion: 2025-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 82

Inclusion Criteria

• Undergoing elective upper limb surgery with a planned brachial plexus nerve block

Exclusion Criteria

• Under 18 years old
• ASA score above III
• Chronic pain condition with daily milligrams of morphine equivalent > 30
• Poorly controlled psychiatric condition
• Coagulopathy
• Active infection
• Moderate, severe or progressing neuropathy
• COPD/Chronic oxygen user
• Pregnancy
• Incarceration
• Unable to consent

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Onset of sensory block	Within 1 hour after the block placement	Determining time when patient feels numb

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Time to first analgesic request	Up to 1 year	Time it takes for patients to request for one supplemental analgesic medication
Onset of motor block	Within 1 hour after the block placement	Determining time when patient cannot move
Patient satisfaction	Up to 1 year	Assessing patient's satisfaction with the nerve block in controlling pain, using the short standard patient satisfaction Likert Scale, investigating pain management, comfort during procedure, explanations and communication level, and overall satisfaction with for each category a 5 point scale ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree".
Duration of sensory/motor block	1 day	Time until the patient feels his limb again and can move

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Stanford University Hospital; 🇺🇸 Stanford, California, United States