Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Trigger Point Injection for Chronic Thoracic Myofascial Pain

Part of paid clinical trials in Jacksonville, Florida.

Sponsor
Mayo Clinic
Study ID
NCT07632820
Phase
PHASE4
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Back Pain

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 80 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) Block with 0.5% Plain Bupivacaine — DRUG
    Participants will receive an ultrasound-guided thoracic erector spinae plane (ESP) block at the thoracic level corresponding to the location of maximal pain. Under ultrasound guidance, a 22-gauge needle will be advanced into the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle and superficial to the transverse process. Participants will receive 5 mL of 0.5% plain bupivacaine per side, with bilateral injections performed when clinically indicated for bilateral thoracic pain.
  • Trigger Point Injection (TPI) with 0.5% Plain Bupivacaine — DRUG
    Participants will receive ultrasound-guided trigger point injection(s) into the thoracic paraspinal musculature at the site(s) of maximal tenderness. Under ultrasound guidance, 0.5% plain bupivacaine will be injected in volumes of 1-2 mL per injection site, with a maximum total volume of 5 mL per side and up to five injection sites per laterality.

Study Details

Chronic thoracic (mid-back) pain can be difficult to treat, and there is limited evidence to guide the use of injection therapies for pain arising from muscles and surrounding soft tissues. Two commonly used treatments are trigger point injections (TPI) and erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks, but no studies have directly compared their effectiveness for chronic thoracic myofascial pain. The purpose of this study is to compare pain relief, physical function, emotional well-being, patient satisfaction, and safety following treatment with either an ESP block or TPI. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of the two treatments. Researchers will follow participants for up to 12 weeks after the procedure and collect information through questionnaires and pain assessments.

Key Dates

Start date
Aug 1, 2026
Status verified
Jun 2026
Primary completion
Aug 1, 2029
Completion
Aug 30, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment
76 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) Block
    Participants will receive an ultrasound-guided thoracic erector spinae plane (ESP) block at the thoracic level corresponding to the location of maximal pain. Under ultrasound guidance, a 22-gauge needle will be advanced into the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle and superficial to the transverse process. Participants will receive 5 mL of 0.5% plain bupivacaine per side, with bilateral injections performed when clinically indicated for bilateral thoracic pain.
  • Active Comparator: Trigger Point Injection (TPI)
    Participants will receive ultrasound-guided trigger point injection(s) into the thoracic paraspinal musculature at the site(s) of maximal tenderness. Under ultrasound guidance, 0.5% plain bupivacaine will be injected in volumes of 1-2 mL per injection site, with a maximum total volume of 5 mL per side and up to five injection sites per laterality.

Primary Outcome Measure

Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) Pain Score [ Time Frame: baseline, 6 weeks ]

Central Contacts

Locations (5)

FacilityCityStateZIP
Mayo ClinicJacksonvilleFlorida32224
University of MarylandBaltimoreMaryland21201
Mayo ClinicRochesterMinnesota55905
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbusOhio43210
MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexas77030

Find similar trials in Jacksonville, FL

By research site
Mayo Clinic· Jacksonville, FLUniversity of Maryland· Baltimore, MDMayo Clinic· Rochester, MNThe Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center· Columbus, OHMD Anderson Cancer Center· Houston, TX

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