Lumbosacral disc herniation (LDH) represents the most common cause of sciatica. Currently, there is limited evidence about minimally invasive interventional therapies for the treatment of this condition. This paper presents the protocol for a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, phase III trial evaluating if PRF in addition to TFESI leads to better outcomes in patients with sciatica due to LDH, compared to TFESI alone, during the first year after treatment (Pulsed Radiofrequency in Addition to TFESI for Sciatica [PRATS]). Eligible patients are between 18 and 75 years of age, suffer from sciatica of less than 12-week duration with pain intensity >4 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and have unilateral LDH compatible with symptoms at MRI. The Medical Ethics Committee of participating hospitals approved the study protocol. Patients will be randomized to receive either combined treatment (PRF and TFESI) or TFESI alone. The primary outcome will be the assessment of pain intensity with VAS at different timepoints from week-1 to 52 after treatment; secondary outcomes will include Roland Disability Questionnaire for sciatica and Oswestry Disability Index, evaluated at 4, 12 and 52 weeks. The follow-up will last 52 weeks for each patient. Statistical analysis will be performed on a per-protocol basis.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17434440.2020.1815529 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Impact of Psychosocial and Palliative Care Training on Nurses' Competences and Care of Patients With Cancer in Cameroon: Protocol for Quasi-Experimental Study.
JMIR Res Protoc
January 2025
National Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre, Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
Background: Cancer is a leading cause of global mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. This is projected to increase by more than 60% by 2040, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Yet, palliative and psychosocial oncology care is very limited in these countries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResearch Participants' Engagement and Retention in Digital Health Interventions Research: Protocol for Mixed Methods Systematic Review.
JMIR Res Protoc
January 2025
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Participatory eHealth and Health Data Research Group, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Background: Digital health interventions have become increasingly popular in recent years, expanding the possibilities for treatment for various patient groups. In clinical research, while the design of the intervention receives close attention, challenges with research participant engagement and retention persist. This may be partially due to the use of digital health platforms, which may lack adequacy for participants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAberrant Complement Activation Is Associated With Structural Brain Damage in Multiple Sclerosis.
Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm
March 2025
Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital 4 Münster, Germany.
Background And Objectives: Levels of activated complement proteins in the CSF are increased in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and are associated with clinical disease severity. In this study, we determined whether complement activation profiles track with quantitative MRI metrics and liquid biomarkers indicative of disease activity and progression.
Methods: Complement components and activation products (Factor H and I, C1q, C3, C4, C5, Ba, Bb, C3a, C4a, C5a, and sC5b-9) and liquid biomarkers (neurofilament light chain, glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], CXCL-13, CXCL-9, and IL-12b) were quantified in the CSF of 112 patients with clinically isolated syndromes and 127 patients with MS; longitudinal MRIs according to a standardized protocol of the Swiss MS cohort were assessed.
The Pelvic Floor Disorders Network: Evolution Over Two Decades of Female Pelvic Floor Research.
Urogynecology (Phila)
October 2024
Data Coordinating Center, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Importance: This review aimed to describe research initiatives, evolution, and processes of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development-supported Pelvic Floor Disorders Network (PFDN). This may be of interest and inform researchers wishing to conduct multisite coordinated research initiatives as well as to provide perspective to all urogynecologists regarding how the PFDN has evolved and functions.
Study Design: Principal investigators of several PFDN clinical sites and Data Coordinating Center describe more than 20 years of development and maturation of the PFDN.
Social media-based Health Education plus Exercise Program (SHEEP) to improve muscle function among young-old adults with possible sarcopenia in the community: A feasibility study protocol.
PLoS One
January 2025
Faculty of Biology, School of Health Sciences, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Background: Despite the comparatively high prevalence of possible sarcopenia among young-old adults in the community, there is currently no available and effective social media-based intervention to increase the awareness and change the behavior of the target population to prevent sarcopenia. Using co-design methodology, we developed a multicomponent intervention strategy of health education and exercise for sarcopenia prevention utilizing the TikTok platform.
Objectives: The primary purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the social media-based intervention to enhance muscle function in community-dwelling young-old adults with possible sarcopenia.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!