This randomized controlled clinical trial will evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of intradermal injection of exosomes, platelet-rich plasma, and corticosteroid in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia. Forty-five adult patients with dermatomal pain persisting for at least 90 days after herpes zoster will be enrolled from outpatient clinics. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups: intradermal exosome injection, intradermal autologous platelet-rich plasma injection, or intradermal triamcinolone acetonide injection. Each group will receive four treatment sessions every two weeks. Outcomes will include pain severity, neuropathic pain characteristics, quality of life, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects, assessed at baseline, at the final session, and during follow-up visits at 3 and 6 months after the last session.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
45
Intradermal injection of 0.1 cc exosome product per 1 cm² square into the affected dermatome, every two weeks for four sessions.
Autologous platelet-rich plasma prepared from 10 mL patient blood by centrifugation at 1000 rpm for 10 minutes, injected intradermally at 0.1 cc per 1 cm² square every two weeks for four sessions.
Intradermal triamcinolone acetonide 10 mg/mL, 0.1 mL per 1 cm² square of the affected dermatome, every two weeks for four sessions
Zagazig University Hospitals
Zagazig, Zagazig, Egypt
RECRUITINGChange in Pain Severity Using the Visual Analog Scale
Time frame: Baseline and final treatment session, approximately 6 weeks after baseline
Change in Neuropathic Pain Scale Score
Time frame: Baseline, final treatment session, 3 months after last session, and 6 months after last session
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