Postherpetic NeuralgiaNCT07390279
Efficacy of Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency in Postherpetic Neuralgia
An observational study of Postherpetic Neuralgia and Chronic Pain, run by Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital Organization at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic pain syndrome that may be resistant to treatment and can lead to physical and social disability as well as psychological disturbances, persisting for years in some patients. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Postherpetic Neuralgia, Chronic Pain, Neuropathy
- What is being tested?
- Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- How many people
- 35 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2026to 3 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: The study will be conducted at the Algology Department of Istanbul Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital, following approval by the institutional ethics committee, and will include patients aged 18 years and older diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) who are scheduled to receive transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (TCPRF) treatment in three sessions. Within the scope of the study, the following data will be recorded: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), side of the procedure, history of herpes zoster vaccination (live or recombinant), family history of herpes zoster, immunosuppression status (e.g., HIV infection, malignancy, steroid use), duration of symptoms, dermatome treated with TCPRF, TCPRF-related complications and adverse effects, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, neuropathic pain assessment using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire, and health-related quality of life assessed using the Short Form-12 (SF-12).
Who may be able to join
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Diagnosis of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
- No invasive or noninvasive treatment related to PHN (e.g., capsaicin, lidocaine patches) within the past 3 months
- Provision of written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Patients with a cardiac pacemaker
- Known allergy to transcutaneous electrode pads
- Active skin infection at the pad application site
- Presence of a metallic implant in the treatment area
- Circulatory disorders or skin lesions at the treatment site
- Inability to maintain appropriate positioning
Show all 9Show fewer
- Inability to communicate effectively
- Presence of psychosis or progressive neurological deficits
- Pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Istanbul Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcioğlu City Hospital
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34000
salim taner gozukizil, +90 5075879160, salimtaner@hotmail.com
About this study
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic pain syndrome that may be resistant to treatment and can lead to physical and social disability as well as psychological disturbances, persisting for years in some patients. Varicella zoster virus remains latent in the sensory neurons of individuals who have previously had chickenpox. Reactivation of the latent virus results in herpes zoster. Herpes zoster typically begins with dermatomal pain, followed within a few days by the development of characteristic dermatomal skin rashes. These cutaneous lesions usually resolve within 2-4 weeks; however, pain may persist even after the rash has healed.
There is variability in the literature regarding the definition of PHN. The development of PHN is associated with increased central neuronal sensitization, reduced inhibitory neuronal function, inflammation and nerve injury in the peripheral nervous system, and abnormal neural transmission following nerve damage. PHN is the most common complication of herpes zoster and occurs in approximately 9-19% of affected patients. Its incidence increases with age, occurring in about 2% of patients under 50 years of age, approximately 20% of those over 50 years, and nearly 35% of patients over 80 years of age.
Various treatment options are available for the management of PHN-related pain, including pharmacological and interventional approaches. Systemic agents include tricyclic antidepressants, calcium channel alpha-2-delta ligands, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and opioids, while topical treatments include lidocaine and capsaicin. Interventional treatment options for PHN include epidural and intrathecal injections, sympathetic nerve blocks, erector spinae plane block, subcutaneous injections, and spinal cord stimulation.
Read the detailed description
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency (TCPRF), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, in adult patients diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) who are refractory to conventional treatments. The study aims to prospectively assess the pain-reducing effect of TCPRF applied to the affected dermatomal area by comparing pain intensity, measured using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, at 1 and 3 months after the procedure with baseline values.
The secondary objectives of the study are to comprehensively evaluate the effects of TCPRF treatment on both the sensory (e.g., throbbing, stabbing) and affective (e.g., tiring, fearful) dimensions of pain using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). In addition, changes in neuropathic pain scores assessed by the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire and improvements in overall quality of life measured by the Short Form-12 (SF-12) will be examined. As an indicator of procedural safety, the study also aims to report any potential adverse effects or complications that may occur during or after the intervention.The study is planned to be conducted as a prospective observational study at the Algology Clinic of Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital. Following the acquisition of informed consent, patients presenting to our clinic with postherpetic neuralgia will receive transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (TCPRF) treatment applied to the painful area. During post-treatment outpatient follow-up visits, the effects of the intervention on pain scores and quality of life will be evaluated.
As implied by its name, the procedure is performed transcutaneously via adhesive skin electrodes and does not involve any incision or invasive intervention. The planned duration of the study is six months.
In routine clinical practice, patients presenting with postherpetic neuralgia initially receive medical treatment, while interventional therapies are considered for those with insufficient or limited response to pharmacological management. These interventional options include nerve blocks, epidural injections, radiofrequency treatments, and spinal cord stimulation procedures. The TCPRF procedure performed in our clinic is part of routine clinical practice, and no additional interventional procedures will be applied to patients solely for research purposes.
Patients aged 18 years and older diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia will be included in the study. No control group or involvement of additional medical specialties is planned.
- Conditions
- Postherpetic Neuralgia, Chronic Pain, Neuropathy
- Being tested
- Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency
- Keywords
- postherpetic neuralgia
- Medical subject headings
- Neuralgia, Postherpetic, Chronic Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Transcutaneous Pulsed RadiofrequencyProcedure or surgery
The TCPRF procedure will be performed by the same algology specialist. Patients will be monitored according to standard protocols, including noninvasive blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and electrocardiography. The procedure will be conducted in the supine position. For TCPRF, 45 × 98 mm transcutaneous electrodes (Equip, FIAB SPA, Via P. Costoli, Italy) will be used. Electrodes will be placed over the most painful area along the affected dermatome. TCPRF will be delivered at 80 volts, 2 Hz, and 20 ms pulse width for a duration of 8 minutes. The procedure will be repeated three times at one-week intervals.
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Analog Scale
This scale allows for the numerical determination of the subjective intensity of pain by asking patients to rate their pain severity on a 10 cm line from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the most severe pain I have ever felt).
Measured: 3 months
Secondary outcomes (1)
Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire-4
This is a Turkish-validated diagnostic screening test consisting of 10 items in total: 7 symptoms based on patient description and 3 clinical findings based on physical examination, which helps differentiate neuropathic pain from nociceptive pain.
Measured: 3 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion3 Aug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Postherpetic NeuralgiaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital Organization
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Salim Taner Gözükızıl, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital Organization
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07390279
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Postherpetic Neuralgia
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 5 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency in Postherpetic Neuralgia
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07390279
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Postherpetic Neuralgia
- Conditions
- Postherpetic Neuralgia, Chronic Pain, Neuropathy
- Keywords
- postherpetic neuralgia
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 35 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital OrganizationUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 3 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 5 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic pain syndrome that may be resistant to treatment and can lead to physical and social disability as well as psychological disturbances, persisting for years in some patients. Varicella zoster virus remains latent in the sensory neurons of individuals who have previously had chickenpox. Reactivation of the latent virus results in herpes zoster. Herpes zoster typically begins with dermatomal pain, followed within a few days by the development of characteristic dermatomal skin rashes. These cutaneous lesions usually resolve within 2-4 weeks; however, pain may persist even after the rash has healed.
There is variability in the literature regarding the definition of PHN. The development of PHN is associated with increased central neuronal sensitization, reduced inhibitory neuronal function, inflammation and nerve injury in the peripheral nervous system, and abnormal neural transmission following nerve damage. PHN is the most common complication of herpes zoster and occurs in approximately 9-19% of affected patients. Its incidence increases with age, occurring in about 2% of patients under 50 years of age, approximately 20% of those over 50 years, and nearly 35% of patients over 80 years of age.
Various treatment options are available for the management of PHN-related pain, including pharmacological and interventional approaches. Systemic agents include tricyclic antidepressants, calcium channel alpha-2-delta ligands, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and opioids, while topical treatments include lidocaine and capsaicin. Interventional treatment options for PHN include epidural and intrathecal injections, sympathetic nerve blocks, erector spinae plane block, subcutaneous injections, and spinal cord stimulation.
Detailed description
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency (TCPRF), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, in adult patients diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) who are refractory to conventional treatments. The study aims to prospectively assess the pain-reducing effect of TCPRF applied to the affected dermatomal area by comparing pain intensity, measured using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, at 1 and 3 months after the procedure with baseline values.
The secondary objectives of the study are to comprehensively evaluate the effects of TCPRF treatment on both the sensory (e.g., throbbing, stabbing) and affective (e.g., tiring, fearful) dimensions of pain using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). In addition, changes in neuropathic pain scores assessed by the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire and improvements in overall quality of life measured by the Short Form-12 (SF-12) will be examined. As an indicator of procedural safety, the study also aims to report any potential adverse effects or complications that may occur during or after the intervention.The study is planned to be conducted as a prospective observational study at the Algology Clinic of Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital. Following the acquisition of informed consent, patients presenting to our clinic with postherpetic neuralgia will receive transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (TCPRF) treatment applied to the painful area. During post-treatment outpatient follow-up visits, the effects of the intervention on pain scores and quality of life will be evaluated.
As implied by its name, the procedure is performed transcutaneously via adhesive skin electrodes and does not involve any incision or invasive intervention. The planned duration of the study is six months.
In routine clinical practice, patients presenting with postherpetic neuralgia initially receive medical treatment, while interventional therapies are considered for those with insufficient or limited response to pharmacological management. These interventional options include nerve blocks, epidural injections, radiofrequency treatments, and spinal cord stimulation procedures. The TCPRF procedure performed in our clinic is part of routine clinical practice, and no additional interventional procedures will be applied to patients solely for research purposes.
Patients aged 18 years and older diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia will be included in the study. No control group or involvement of additional medical specialties is planned.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- The study will be conducted at the Algology Department of Istanbul Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital, following approval by the institutional ethics committee, and will include patients aged 18 years and older diagnosed with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) who are scheduled to receive transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (TCPRF) treatment in three sessions. Within the scope of the study, the following data will be recorded: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), side of the procedure, history of herpes zoster vaccination (live or recombinant), family history of herpes zoster, immunosuppression status (e.g., HIV infection, malignancy, steroid use), duration of symptoms, dermatome treated with TCPRF, TCPRF-related complications and adverse effects, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, neuropathic pain assessment using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire, and health-related quality of life assessed using the Short Form-12 (SF-12).
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Diagnosis of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
- No invasive or noninvasive treatment related to PHN (e.g., capsaicin, lidocaine patches) within the past 3 months
- Provision of written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Patients with a cardiac pacemaker
- Known allergy to transcutaneous electrode pads
- Active skin infection at the pad application site
- Presence of a metallic implant in the treatment area
- Circulatory disorders or skin lesions at the treatment site
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Transcutaneous Pulsed RadiofrequencyThe TCPRF procedure will be performed by the same algology specialist. Patients will be monitored according to standard protocols, including noninvasive blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and electrocardiography. The procedure will be conducted in the supine position. For TCPRF, 45 × 98 mm transcutaneous electrodes (Equip, FIAB SPA, Via P. Costoli, Italy) will be used. Electrodes will be placed over the most painful area along the affected dermatome. TCPRF will be delivered at 80 volts, 2 Hz, and 20 ms pulse width for a duration of 8 minutes. The procedure will be repeated three times at one-week intervals. | Procedure or surgery | – |
Primary outcome
Visual Analog Scale
Time frame: 3 months
This scale allows for the numerical determination of the subjective intensity of pain by asking patients to rate their pain severity on a 10 cm line from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the most severe pain I have ever felt).
1 secondary outcome
Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire-4
Time frame: 3 months
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Obesity and Obesity-Related Factors and Risk of Herpes Zoster (Shingles) and Postherpetic Neuralgia
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The Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Venlafaxine for Prevention of Postherpetic Neuralgia in Patients With Acute Herpes Zoster
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Istanbul Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcioğlu City Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Postherpetic Neuralgia and Chronic Pain, run by Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital Organization at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Visual Analog Scale (time frame: 3 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Feb 2026.