Ongoing Clinical Trials for Procedural Pain
This article provides information about 21 ongoing clinical trials investigating various treatments for procedural pain. These studies are exploring pain management strategies across different medical procedures, including surgeries, dental treatments, and diagnostic examinations. The trials are being conducted in multiple countries across Europe, testing medications such as tramadol, levobupivacaine, nefopam, and various local anesthetics to improve pain relief and patient comfort during and after medical procedures.
Clinical trial locations
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Study on the Duration of Nerve Blocks with Lidocaine Hydrochloride for Postoperative Pain in Patients Tolerant to Opioids
- Study on Nasal Pain Relief for Patients Undergoing Nasotracheal Intubation Using Cocaine, Lidocaine/Xylometazoline, and Saline
- Study on the Effect of Popliteal Plexus Block with Lidocaine Hydrochloride on Leg Muscle Function in Patients with Acute Post-Surgical Knee Pain
- France
- Study on Nefopam for Reducing Postoperative Pain in Adults After Total Knee Replacement Surgery
- Study on Preventing Persistent Postoperative Pain in Children Using Mepivacaine Hydrochloride and Drug Combination
- Study on Sufentanil’s Effect on Chronic Pain After Non-Major Abdominal Surgery for Patients
- Study on Reducing Postoperative Pain in Brain Surgery Patients Using Ropivacaine, Lidocaine, and Epinephrine
- Germany
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Study on Levobupivacaine, Paracetamol, and Diclofenac for Pain Relief After Esophageal Lesion Procedure in Patients with Precancerous Esophageal Lesions
- Study on Pain Relief After Breast Cancer Surgery: Comparing Liposomal Bupivacaine and Levobupivacaine in Patients Undergoing Mastectomy
- Study on Preventing Chronic Pain After Hernia and Knee Surgery Using Tapentadol for Patients Undergoing These Surgeries
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
- Study on Pain Relief After Obesity Surgery Using Esketamine, Dexmedetomidine, and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Monohydrate for Patients Undergoing Obesity Surgery
- Clonidine Hydrochloride for Pain Relief During Eye Exams in Premature Infants with Retinopathy of Prematurity
- Study on Magnesium Sulfate for Reducing Postoperative Pain in Women After Cesarean Section
Study on Improving Pain Relief After Surgery Using Tramadol and Dexketoprofen Based on Genetic Testing for Patients with Acute Postoperative Pain
This trial is investigating whether genetic testing can help improve pain management after surgery, specifically for patients undergoing wisdom tooth removal. The study focuses on using a genetic test called CYP2D6 genotyping to personalize treatment with tramadol, a commonly used pain medication.
Main inclusion criteria: Participants must be over 18 years old and scheduled for outpatient surgical extraction of at least two impacted wisdom teeth, with at least one requiring bone removal. Patients must provide written consent to participate.
Main exclusion criteria: The trial excludes patients who are part of vulnerable populations, those with serious medical conditions unrelated to the study focus, pregnant or breastfeeding women, patients with allergies to study medications, and those currently participating in another clinical trial.
Trial focus: The study aims to determine if using genetic information can help doctors choose the best pain treatment for each patient, making it more effective and reducing side effects. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard pain treatment or a treatment plan based on their genetic test results.
Investigational drugs: The main medication being studied is tramadol, which works by changing how the brain senses pain. Other medications involved include dexketoprofen, metamizole, and paracetamol. All medications are taken orally, and the study will last up to three days.
Study on Levobupivacaine, Paracetamol, and Diclofenac for Pain Relief After Esophageal Lesion Procedure in Patients with Precancerous Esophageal Lesions
This study is examining pain relief after a procedure called Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection, which is used to treat lesions in the esophagus. The trial is testing whether levobupivacaine, a local anesthetic, can effectively reduce pain immediately after the procedure.
Main inclusion criteria: Patients must be 18 years or older with a visible esophageal lesion at least 20 mm in diameter. They should be scheduled for esophageal ESD and must provide informed consent.
Main exclusion criteria: Patients with visible esophageal lesions are excluded, which appears to be an error in the source data, as these are the patients the study aims to treat.
Trial focus: The primary goal is to evaluate how effective levobupivacaine is in providing pain relief within 90 minutes after the procedure. Pain levels will be assessed at 30, 60, and 90 minutes post-procedure, then at 6 hours, and daily for up to 14 days.
Investigational drugs: Levobupivacaine is administered as a local injection during the procedure. Additional medications include paracetamol and diclofenac sodium for ongoing pain management.
Study on Nefopam for Reducing Postoperative Pain in Adults After Total Knee Replacement Surgery
This trial is exploring whether nefopam, taken by mouth, can reduce the need for morphine during the first 24 hours after knee replacement surgery. The study aims to find new approaches to managing pain after this type of operation.
Main inclusion criteria: Participants must be over 18 years old and scheduled for knee surgery with an ASA score between I and III. They must agree to participate and sign an informed consent form, and be entitled to social security benefits.
Main exclusion criteria: The trial excludes patients who are not experiencing postoperative pain, those under 18, and vulnerable populations.
Trial focus: The study will monitor pain levels, morphine consumption within 24 hours after surgery, and various aspects of pain sensitivity and recovery. Blood and spinal fluid samples may be collected to measure nefopam concentration in the body.
Investigational drugs: Nefopam is taken orally and works by inhibiting the reuptake of certain brain chemicals that help control pain. Morphine is administered intravenously as the standard pain relief medication for comparison.
Study on Pain Relief After Obesity Surgery Using Esketamine, Dexmedetomidine, and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Monohydrate for Patients Undergoing Obesity Surgery
This study is investigating whether an opioid-sparing approach to pain management can effectively reduce pain after obesity surgery while minimizing side effects associated with high opioid use. The approach uses alternative medications like esketamine, dexmedetomidine, and lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate.
Main inclusion criteria: Patients must be 18 years or older and scheduled for laparoscopic obesity surgery, including gastric bypass or sleeve surgery. Both men and women can participate, and patients must provide informed consent.
Main exclusion criteria: Patients not undergoing obesity surgery, those outside the specified age range, and vulnerable populations are excluded.
Trial focus: The study will compare the new opioid-sparing treatment to conventional opioid-based treatment in terms of pain relief, recovery, and overall health outcomes. Participants will be monitored immediately after surgery, during hospital stay, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after discharge.
Investigational drugs: The medications include esketamine, dexmedetomidine, lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate, and remifentanil hydrochloride, all delivered through IV infusion or injection. The goal is to reduce opioid consumption while maintaining effective pain management.
Study on Preventing Persistent Postoperative Pain in Children Using Mepivacaine Hydrochloride and Drug Combination
This trial focuses on studying whether locoregional analgesia, a method of pain relief that targets specific areas, can help prevent long-lasting pain after surgery in children who have had bone fracture repairs.
Main inclusion criteria: Children must be between 5 years and less than 15 years and 3 months old. They need surgery to fix a broken bone using metal plates, screws, or rods. The child must be fully awake with a Glasgow score of 15 and able to describe their pain using words. Both the child and a parent or guardian must sign a consent form.
Main exclusion criteria: Children outside the age range of 2 to 18 years, those who have not undergone orthopedic trauma surgery, those not experiencing post-operative pain, and children who are part of vulnerable populations are excluded.
Trial focus: The study will monitor pain levels using a Numerical Rating Scale at various intervals: immediately after surgery, at 3, 6, and 12 months. The goal is to determine if locoregional analgesia can reduce persistent pain after surgery.
Investigational drugs: The trial uses various medications including nalbuphine, paracetamol, sevoflurane, sufentanil, ondansetron, morphine, tramadol, mepivacaine, propofol, dexamethasone, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen. Some participants will receive a placebo for comparison.
Study on Sufentanil’s Effect on Chronic Pain After Non-Major Abdominal Surgery for Patients
This study examines the relationship between sufentanil doses given during surgery and the occurrence of chronic pain three months afterward in patients undergoing non-major abdominal surgery.
Main inclusion criteria: Patients must be over 18 years old and scheduled for non-major abdominal surgery. They must give informed consent to participate.
Main exclusion criteria: Patients not scheduled for this type of surgery, those without chronic pain after surgery, individuals outside the specified age range, and vulnerable populations are excluded.
Trial focus: The study will monitor pain intensity at 24 hours, 48 hours, and three months after surgery using a numerical rating scale. It will also track the amount of pain medication needed after surgery and assess for neuropathic pain at three months.
Investigational drugs: Sufentanil is a strong pain-relief medication given as an infusion during surgery. The study aims to understand how the amount given during surgery affects long-term pain outcomes.
Study on the Duration of Nerve Blocks with Lidocaine Hydrochloride for Postoperative Pain in Patients Tolerant to Opioids
This trial is studying how long the numbing effect of a radial nerve block lasts in people who regularly use opioid medications compared to those who do not. The nerve block uses lidocaine hydrochloride to numb a specific area.
Main inclusion criteria: Participants must be older than 18 years and classified as ASA 1-3, meaning they are in good or moderate health. They must be legally competent and able to give informed consent. For the opioid group, patients must have chronic pain lasting more than three months and use 60 mg or more of morphine equivalent daily for more than a month.
Main exclusion criteria: Individuals not experiencing postoperative pain, those outside the specified age range, those who are neither opioid tolerant nor opioid naive, and vulnerable populations are excluded.
Trial focus: The study evaluates the onset time and duration of the nerve block, comparing effects between opioid-tolerant and opioid-naive individuals. It measures both sensory and motor nerve block duration.
Investigational drugs: Lidocaine hydrochloride is administered as an injection near the nerve. Some participants will receive a placebo for comparison.
Clonidine Hydrochloride for Pain Relief During Eye Exams in Premature Infants with Retinopathy of Prematurity
This trial is investigating whether clonidine hydrochloride can effectively reduce pain during eye examinations for premature infants who may have retinopathy of prematurity, a condition affecting the eyes of babies born before 30 weeks of pregnancy.
Main inclusion criteria: The infant must be admitted to the study clinic, with written consent from guardians. The infant must be born before gestation week 30.
Main exclusion criteria: Infants with other serious health conditions, those taking interfering medications, those with allergies to study medication, those with previous reactions to similar medications, and infants whose parents or guardians do not agree to participate are excluded.
Trial focus: The study aims to assess if clonidine provides effective pain relief during eye examinations by measuring PIPP-R scores within 30 seconds after the examination begins. Secondary evaluations include monitoring galvanic skin response and recording any adverse events.
Investigational drugs: Clonidine hydrochloride is administered orally. Some infants may receive a placebo for comparison. The study will monitor pain levels and the infants’ comfort during examinations.
Study Comparing Botulinum Toxin Type A, Triamcinolone Acetonide, and Bupivacaine for Treating Persistent Post-Surgical Scar Pain in Adults
This trial compares botulinum toxin type A (commonly known as Botox) with corticosteroids to determine which is more effective in treating persistent pain from surgical scars lasting more than three months after surgery.
Main inclusion criteria: Both male and female patients over 18 years of age can participate. They must have a diagnosis of persistent post-surgical pain lasting more than 3 months and be able to provide written informed consent.
Main exclusion criteria: Patients not experiencing post-surgical scar pain, those younger than 18 or older than 65, and vulnerable populations are excluded.
Trial focus: Participants will receive injections of either Botox or corticosteroid directly into the scar area. The study will monitor pain levels using a numerical rating scale and additional questionnaires to evaluate overall pain experience and changes in condition.
Investigational drugs: Botulinum toxin works by blocking nerve signals that cause muscles to contract, which can help alleviate pain. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and swelling around the scar. Both are administered through intradermal injections.
Study on Dexmedetomidine and Ropivacaine for Pain Relief in Shoulder Surgery Patients
This study is investigating different doses of perineural dexmedetomidine as an addition to ropivacaine for an interscalene plexus block, a type of anesthesia used to numb the shoulder area during surgery. Patients will also receive dexamethasone intravenously.
Main inclusion criteria: Patients must be scheduled for elective shoulder surgery, be between 18 and 64 years old, and both male and female patients can participate. They should not be part of vulnerable populations.
Main exclusion criteria: Patients not scheduled for shoulder operations, individuals outside the age range of 18 to 65, and vulnerable populations are excluded.
Trial focus: The study will determine how effective different doses of dexmedetomidine are in prolonging pain relief provided by the nerve block. It will compare duration of pain relief, length of numbness, time for muscle movement to return, and monitor side effects during the first 48 hours after surgery.
Investigational drugs: Dexmedetomidine is given near the nerves to enhance the effect of ropivacaine, the main pain-relieving medication that blocks pain in the shoulder area. Dexamethasone is given through a vein to reduce inflammation and enhance pain relief.
Study on Magnesium Sulfate for Reducing Postoperative Pain in Women After Cesarean Section
This trial is studying whether adding magnesium sulfate to the treatment plan can help improve pain relief after cesarean section surgery. The study will compare magnesium sulfate’s effects with a placebo.
Main inclusion criteria: Participants must be adults over 18, women undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia, and able to understand and process information in Swedish.
Main exclusion criteria: Individuals who are not pregnant women, men, participants outside the specified age range, people with certain interfering health conditions, and vulnerable populations are excluded.
Trial focus: The study will monitor pain levels within the first six hours after surgery, as well as after 24 hours, 14 days, and up to three months. It will also assess opioid consumption, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the quality of breastfeeding and bonding with the baby.
Investigational drugs: Magnesium sulfate is administered through an IV infusion directly into the bloodstream. The goal is to determine if it can make recovery more comfortable by lessening pain experienced after surgery.
Summary
The 21 clinical trials described in this article represent a diverse range of approaches to managing procedural pain across Europe. France leads with four trials, followed by Denmark with three, and the Netherlands with three. Other countries including Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Hungary, Norway, and Germany each host between one and two trials.
A notable pattern emerges in the frequent use of local anesthetics, particularly lidocaine and its derivatives, across multiple studies. Several trials focus on postoperative pain management following specific surgeries, including knee replacement, breast surgery, cesarean section, and shoulder surgery. Interestingly, some studies explore personalized medicine approaches, such as genetic testing to guide tramadol use, while others investigate alternative strategies like opioid-sparing pathways.
The trials also demonstrate attention to special populations, including children undergoing orthopedic surgery and premature infants requiring eye examinations. Comparative studies examining different medications or combinations are common, helping to identify the most effective pain management strategies for specific procedures.
While this article covers only the first 10 trials in detail, the remaining 11 trials continue to explore innovative approaches to procedural pain management across various medical contexts. Patients interested in participating should consult with their healthcare providers to determine eligibility and suitability for any specific trial.
