Ongoing Clinical Trials for Radicular Pain
This article provides an overview of ongoing clinical trials investigating treatments for radicular pain, a type of nerve pain that originates in the spine and travels down the leg. Currently, there is 1 clinical trial underway, testing the effectiveness of gabapentin in reducing leg pain associated with nerve irritation from the lower back.
Clinical trial locations
Study on Gabapentin for Treating Nerve Pain in the Leg from Lower Back Pain
This clinical trial is investigating how well gabapentin can help people who are experiencing nerve pain in their leg that originates from the lower back. The study compares gabapentin, taken in doses up to 2700 mg per day, with a placebo (an inactive substance) to see which works better at reducing leg pain over six weeks.
Who can participate:
You may be eligible for this trial if you meet the following criteria:
- You have been diagnosed with radicular leg pain, meaning pain that starts in your spine and travels down your leg
- You have at least one symptom (such as pain in a specific pattern along your leg, pain below the knee with burning, shooting, tingling, or numbness) and one sign (such as reduced feeling in certain leg areas, reduced reflexes, muscle weakness, a positive MR-Scan showing nerve compression, or pain when your leg is raised less than 45 degrees)
- Your symptoms have lasted between 1 week and 6 months
- Your average leg pain in the last 24 hours is at least moderate, meaning a score of 4 or higher on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain)
- You are between 18 and 70 years old
Who cannot participate:
You will not be able to join this trial if:
- You do not have radicular leg pain
- You are younger than 18 or older than 65 years old
- You belong to a vulnerable population that requires special protection or care
- You are unable to follow the study procedures or take the medication as required
- You have another medical condition that might interfere with the study or make it unsafe for you to participate
What the trial involves:
The main goal of this study is to determine whether gabapentin can effectively reduce leg pain caused by nerve irritation from the spine. Participants will take either gabapentin capsules or placebo capsules by mouth for six weeks. Throughout the study, which lasts a total of eight weeks, researchers will closely monitor changes in leg pain intensity. They will also look at other factors such as changes in back pain, overall health, and any side effects that may occur. Additionally, the use of other pain relief medications during the study period will be tracked.
Investigational drug:
The medication being tested is gabapentin, which is commonly used to treat nerve pain and seizures. It works by affecting how nerves send pain messages to the brain. In this trial, gabapentin is given in capsule form, with doses of up to 2700 mg per day. The study aims to compare its effectiveness against a placebo to better understand its potential benefits and any associated risks for this type of pain. The study is expected to conclude in 2026.
Summary
Currently, there is one ongoing clinical trial for radicular pain, taking place in Denmark. This trial focuses specifically on evaluating gabapentin as a treatment option for nerve pain in the leg originating from the lower back. The study is designed to provide clearer evidence about whether gabapentin can offer meaningful pain relief for people experiencing this condition. Participants will be monitored over an eight-week period, with the main treatment phase lasting six weeks. The results of this trial may help doctors and patients make more informed decisions about managing radicular leg pain in the future.