This observational study aims to determine whether electromyography and nerve conduction study findings can help predict the response to cervical dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment in patients with chronic cervical radicular pain. Adults aged 18 to 75 years with unilateral cervical radicular pain who are already scheduled to receive pulsed radiofrequency treatment will undergo an electrophysiological evaluation before the procedure. Participants will be classified according to whether cervical radiculopathy is detected on electrophysiological testing. Pain intensity, neck-related disability, quality of life, and depressive symptoms will be assessed before treatment and at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the procedure. Outcomes will be compared between participants with and without electrophysiological evidence of radiculopathy to evaluate whether these findings are associated with treatment success.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
20
Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital
Istanbul, Pendik, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change From Baseline in Pain Intensity Assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale
Pain intensity will be assessed using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale ranging from 0, indicating no pain, to 10, indicating the worst imaginable pain. Change from baseline will be calculated at each follow-up visit and compared between participants with and without electrophysiological evidence of cervical radiculopathy. A greater reduction in score indicates greater improvement in pain.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after cervical dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment
Treatment Success Based on the Numeric Rating Scale
Treatment success is defined as a reduction of at least 50% in the Numeric Rating Scale pain score compared with baseline. The proportion of participants achieving treatment success will be compared between participants with and without electrophysiological evidence of cervical radiculopathy.
Time frame: 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after cervical dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment
Change From Baseline in Neck-Related Disability Assessed by the Neck Disability Index
Neck-related disability will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index. Higher scores indicate greater neck-related disability. Change from baseline will be calculated at each follow-up visit and compared between participants with and without electrophysiological evidence of cervical radiculopathy.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after cervical dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment
Change From Baseline in Health-Related Quality of Life Assessed by EuroQol
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the EuroQol questionnaire. The instrument evaluates mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort, and anxiety or depression. It also includes a visual analog scale ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better perceived health status. Changes from baseline will be compared between the two electrophysiological groups.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after cervical dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment
Change From Baseline in Depressive Symptoms Assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory
Depressive symptoms will be assessed using the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory. Total scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms. Change from baseline will be calculated at each follow-up visit and compared between participants with and without electrophysiological evidence of cervical radiculopathy.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after cervical dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment
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