Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Exploring Long-term Pain Relief with 5% Dextrose Added to Local Anesthetic

This research is investigating if a special mix for injections can offer better long-term pain relief for people living with chronic pain that isn't due to cancer. Currently, many treatments are available, including injections. This study focuses on adding a small amount of sugar (dextrose) to the usual local anaesthetic injection. The aim is to see if this combination makes the pain relief from trigger point or nerve block injections more effective than using the anaesthetic alone. Participants will receive these injections every two weeks and complete questionnaires to track their pain and well-being over approximately four months.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

The Seekers Centre

Enrolment target

Start

03 Sep 2024

Estimated completion

28 Feb 2025

Chronic Non-cancer Pain

What is this study about?

Many people live with long-term pain that isn't caused by cancer. There are various ways to try and help this pain, from exercises and medicines to different types of injections. If simpler treatments haven't worked well enough, doctors might suggest injections to help diagnose or treat the pain. One common type of injection uses steroids, but sometimes these can have downsides if used repeatedly.

This study is looking at a different approach for injection treatment. Researchers are exploring if adding a small amount of a sugar solution, called 5% dextrose, to the usual numbing medicine (local anaesthetic) can make injections more effective. Dextrose is like a simple sugar and has been used in pain treatments before, sometimes to help repair tissues. In this study, they want to find out if this dextrose-anaesthetic mix provides better and longer-lasting pain relief for conditions like chronic non-cancer pain, compared to just using the numbing medicine by itself.

The main goal is to see if this combined treatment can improve pain relief from common injection methods like 'trigger point' or 'peripheral nerve block' injections. By comparing the results, the study hopes to find out if adding dextrose could be a helpful new option for people struggling with persistent pain.

Key takeaways

Tests if a sugar solution (dextrose) helps chronic non-cancer pain injections.
Compares dextrose-added injections to standard anaesthetic-only injections.
Involves 6 injection visits over 10 weeks, plus questionnaires.
Aims to improve long-term pain relief and quality of life.
Open to adults 18+ with long-term non-cancer pain already receiving injections.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and have been diagnosed by your doctor with ongoing pain that isn't related to cancer. This pain should have been bothering you for at least three months, and you should already be regularly receiving injection therapy for it every one to three weeks, and have been doing so for at least six months. You also need to be able to understand and speak English to complete the study forms.

However, there are certain situations where you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you are under 18 or pregnant. You also can't take part if you have an infection or a scar right where the injection would be given. Other reasons for not being able to join include having certain unstable mental health conditions, a serious illness or injury in the last three months, or if you recently had major surgery or dental work in the same timeframe.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have long-term pain not caused by cancer?
Have you been having regular pain injections (every 1-3 weeks) for at least 6 months?
Can you understand and speak English well enough to complete forms?
Are you not pregnant and don't have an infection or scar at an injection site?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you would receive your usual injection treatments every two weeks for a total of six visits. So, over about 10 weeks, you'd have these six appointments. During your first visit, you'll fill out a form about your background. At every visit, and then again about four weeks after your last injection (around 16 weeks after the start), you'll complete some health questionnaires. These include forms about your pain levels and general well-being. All these forms will be securely emailed to you to complete.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer you the potential benefit of improved pain relief from your injections. However, as with any medical procedure, there are always some potential risks associated with injections, such as mild discomfort, bruising, or a small risk of infection at the injection site. You should discuss these with your doctor. Remember, your participation is completely voluntary, and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Seekers Centre
Verified postcode
Ottawa, Canada

Common questions

What is 5% dextrose?

It's a low-concentration sugar solution, similar to glucose, that's being tested to see if it improves the effect of local anaesthetic injections.

What kind of pain is this study for?

This study is for people who have chronic, long-lasting pain that isn't caused by cancer.

Do I have to do anything differently for this study?

You'll attend your usual injection appointments, but with the added dextrose, and you'll fill out some questionnaires at specific times.

How long will I be in the study?

The active part of the study involves six visits over about 10 weeks for injections, plus completing questionnaires up to about 16 weeks from the start.

Will I know if I'm getting the dextrose?

Yes, this is an 'open-label' study, which means both you and your doctor will know that dextrose is being added to your anaesthetic.