RF Safe

The efficacy of radiofrequency lesioning of the cervical spinal dorsal root ganglion in a double blinded randomized study: no difference between 40 degrees C and 67 degrees C treatments.

Pain · 1997 · Mixed · Moderate evidence

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MixedModerate evidencePaper 4145

In a randomized prospective double-blinded study (n=61), both 67°C and 40°C radiofrequency dorsal root ganglion treatments showed significant VAS pain reduction at 3 months. The magnitude of VAS reduction was similar between groups (1.7 vs 1.9), and responder…

Study snapshot

PublicationPain · 1997
Study typerandomized_trial
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

The efficacy of radiofrequency lesion treatment of the cervical dorsal root ganglion (RF-DRG) in cervicobrachialgia was investigated in 61 patients by a randomized prospective double blinded study. Before lesion treatment the putative pain provoking spinal root was identified by diagnostic blocks with a local anesthetic agent. One group of patients (n = 32, group I) was treated with a radiofrequency lesion of 67 degrees C and in a control group (n = 29, group II) a temperature of 40 degrees C was applied. Three months after treatment a significant reduction in VAS scores was demonstrated in both groups. The outcome of the treatments was identical (VAS reduction: group I, 1.7; group II, 1.9; P = 0.001). In group I a VAS reduction of 3 or more occurred in 11/31 (34%) and in group II in 11/29 (38%) of patients. A VAS reduction of 2 or more occurred in group I in 15/31 (47%) and in group II in 15/29 (51%) of patients. This study suggests that treatment with 40 degrees C radiofrequency application of the dorsal root ganglion is equally effective as treatment at 67 degrees C. Further appraisal of this treatment is required.

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 typerandomized_trial
Effect directionmixed
PopulationPatients with cervicobrachialgia undergoing cervical dorsal root ganglion radiofrequency lesion treatment
Sample size61
ExposureNot supplied
Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a randomized prospective double-blinded study (n=61), both 67°C and 40°C radiofrequency dorsal root ganglion treatments showed significant VAS pain reduction at 3 months. The magnitude of VAS reduction was similar between groups (1.7 vs 1.9), and responder proportions (VAS reduction ≥3 or ≥2) were comparable.

Outcomes measured

  • Pain intensity (VAS score reduction) at 3 months
  • Proportion achieving VAS reduction ≥3
  • Proportion achieving VAS reduction ≥2

Limitations

  • Frequency and other RF exposure parameters were not reported
  • Follow-up reported at 3 months only
  • Study calls for further appraisal, suggesting remaining uncertainty
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "radiofrequency lesioning (cervical dorsal root ganglion)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with cervicobrachialgia undergoing cervical dorsal root ganglion radiofrequency lesion treatment",
  "sample_size": 61,
  "outcomes": [
    "Pain intensity (VAS score reduction) at 3 months",
    "Proportion achieving VAS reduction ≥3",
    "Proportion achieving VAS reduction ≥2"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a randomized prospective double-blinded study (n=61), both 67°C and 40°C radiofrequency dorsal root ganglion treatments showed significant VAS pain reduction at 3 months. The magnitude of VAS reduction was similar between groups (1.7 vs 1.9), and responder proportions (VAS reduction ≥3 or ≥2) were comparable.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency and other RF exposure parameters were not reported",
    "Follow-up reported at 3 months only",
    "Study calls for further appraisal, suggesting remaining uncertainty"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency lesioning",
    "dorsal root ganglion",
    "cervicobrachialgia",
    "randomized",
    "double blind",
    "VAS",
    "temperature comparison"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.1,
      "reason": "Involves radiofrequency application, but this is a therapeutic intervention rather than environmental/occupational exposure; hub match is weak."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1016/s0304-3959(97)00094-8
PubMed: 9415501

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