RF Safe

Short-term effects of pulsed radiofrequency on chronic refractory cervical radicular pain.

Annals of rehabilitation medicine · 2011 · Benefit · Very low evidence

← Research stream
BenefitVery low evidencePaper 3208

In 15 patients receiving pulsed radiofrequency to the symptomatic cervical dorsal root ganglion, mean VAS pain decreased from 5.3 pretreatment to 2.5 at 3 months (p<0.05), and mean NDI decreased from 44.0% to 35.8% at 3 months (p<0.05). Eleven of 15 patients …

Study snapshot

PublicationAnnals of rehabilitation medicine · 2011
Study typeother
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency on the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in patients with chronic refractory cervical radicular pain. METHOD: Fifteen patients (13 males, 2 females; mean age, 55.9 years) with chronic radicular pain due to cervical disc herniation or foraminal stenosis refractory to active rehabilitative management, including transforaminal cervical epidural steroid injection and exercise, were selected. All patients received pulsed radiofrequency on the symptomatic cervical dorsal root ganglion and were carefully evaluated for neurologic deficits and side effects. The clinical outcomes were measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a neck disability index (NDI) before treatment, one and three months after treatment. Successful pain relief was defined as a 50% or greater reduction in the VAS score as compared with the pre-treatment score. After three months, we categorized the patients' satisfaction. RESULTS: The average VAS for radicular pain was reduced significantly from 5.3 at pretreatment to 2.5 at 3 months post-treatment (p<0.05). Eleven of 15 patients (77.3%) after cervical pulsed RF stimulation reported pain relief of 50% or more at the 3 month follow-up. The average NDI was significantly reduced from 44.0% at pretreatment to 35.8% 3 months post-treatment (p<0.05). At 3 months post-treatment, eleven of fifteen patients (73.3%) were satisfied with their status. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that the application of pulsed radiofrequency on DRG might be an effective short-term intervention for chronic refractory cervical radicular pain. Further studies, including a randomized controlled trial with long-term follow-up, are now needed.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother
Effect directionbenefit
PopulationPatients with chronic refractory cervical radicular pain due to cervical disc herniation or foraminal stenosis
Sample size15
ExposureNot supplied
Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 15 patients receiving pulsed radiofrequency to the symptomatic cervical dorsal root ganglion, mean VAS pain decreased from 5.3 pretreatment to 2.5 at 3 months (p<0.05), and mean NDI decreased from 44.0% to 35.8% at 3 months (p<0.05). Eleven of 15 patients reported ≥50% pain reduction at 3 months, 11/15 were satisfied at 3 months, and no adverse effects were observed.

Outcomes measured

  • Radicular pain intensity (VAS)
  • Neck Disability Index (NDI)
  • Patient satisfaction at 3 months
  • Neurologic deficits
  • Side effects/adverse effects

Limitations

  • Small sample size (n=15)
  • Short follow-up (up to 3 months)
  • No randomized controlled trial/comparator group mentioned
  • Authors note need for randomized controlled trial with long-term follow-up
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "pulsed radiofrequency (therapeutic) applied to cervical dorsal root ganglion",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with chronic refractory cervical radicular pain due to cervical disc herniation or foraminal stenosis",
  "sample_size": 15,
  "outcomes": [
    "Radicular pain intensity (VAS)",
    "Neck Disability Index (NDI)",
    "Patient satisfaction at 3 months",
    "Neurologic deficits",
    "Side effects/adverse effects"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 15 patients receiving pulsed radiofrequency to the symptomatic cervical dorsal root ganglion, mean VAS pain decreased from 5.3 pretreatment to 2.5 at 3 months (p<0.05), and mean NDI decreased from 44.0% to 35.8% at 3 months (p<0.05). Eleven of 15 patients reported ≥50% pain reduction at 3 months, 11/15 were satisfied at 3 months, and no adverse effects were observed.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (n=15)",
    "Short follow-up (up to 3 months)",
    "No randomized controlled trial/comparator group mentioned",
    "Authors note need for randomized controlled trial with long-term follow-up"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed radiofrequency",
    "dorsal root ganglion",
    "cervical radicular pain",
    "cervical disc herniation",
    "foraminal stenosis",
    "visual analogue scale",
    "neck disability index",
    "adverse effects"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.5535/arm.2011.35.6.826
PubMed: 22506211

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library