Medical Information Only. Always consult your healthcare provider before enrolling in any clinical trial.
NCT02478437 · ClinicalTrials.gov registry record · Phase 3
A Trial of Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of Medial Branch Nerves for theTreatment of Lumbar Facet Syndrome
A Phase 3 study of Low Back Pain, sponsored by Northwestern University.
- Completed
- Registry status
- Phase 3
- Development phase
- 48
- Enrollment target
- 1
- Study location
NCT02478437: Completed Phase 3 study of Low Back Pain, sponsored by Northwestern University.
NCT02478437 is a Phase 3 study of Low Back Pain that has completed, run by Northwestern University. The registered enrollment target is 48 participants, below the 503-participant average among 122 other Low Back Pain trials with a reported enrollment target (90% lower). The trial reports 1 study location across 1 state. According to ClinicalTrials.gov, the official US trial registry.
The verdict
NCT02478437, a Phase 3 study of Low Back Pain, has completed, sponsored by Northwestern University.
- COMPLETED
- Registry status
- Phase 3
- Development phase
- 48 participants
- Enrollment target
- 1
- Study location
Study Summary
This study is being done to determine whether cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) on the medial branch nerves of the lumbar facet joint is effective for the treatment of low back pain. CRFA blocks the nerves that carry pain signals from joints in the lower back such that the brain does not receive the message that the low back is in pain. This technique is commonly performed by burning these nerves rather freezing them, but it is suspected that freezing them results in better pain relief. The CRFA blocks has been shown to effectively treat sacroiliac joint pain (a joint in the pelvis), which is another reason that it is suspected that CRFA will be effective when treating pain related to facet joints in the low back. We are performing this study in order to determine if that is the case.
Primary Outcome
Percent of participants who reported 50% or greater improvement in pain
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- PROCEDURE Conventional radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
- PROCEDURE Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation (CRFA)
Study Locations (1)
Illinois
- Anesthesiology Pain Managment Center - Chicago
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 48 participants |
| Start Date | 2015-06 |
| Est. Completion | 2018-08 |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
What the finished NCT02478437 record still lists
NCT02478437 is an interventional study that assigns participants to a tested intervention. The registry caps enrollment at 48 participants, a relatively small participant target, below the 503-participant average among 122 other Low Back Pain trials with a reported enrollment target (90% lower).
The record links to 1 condition, with Low Back Pain appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions - of which Conventional radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the first listed.
NCT02478437 reports a single indexed study location in Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT02478437 about?
NCT02478437 is a clinical study titled "A Trial of Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of Medial Branch Nerves for theTreatment of Lumbar Facet Syndrome". This study is being done to determine whether cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) on the medial branch nerves of the lumbar facet joint is effective for the treatment of low back pain. CRFA blocks the nerves that carry pain signals from joints in the lower back such that the brain does not receive...
What is the current status of trial NCT02478437?
This trial is currently completed. It is a Phase 3 study. The enrollment target is 48 participants. The study started on 2015-06. Estimated completion is 2018-08.
What conditions does trial NCT02478437 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Low Back Pain.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT02478437?
The interventions under investigation include: Conventional radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (PROCEDURE), Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation (CRFA) (PROCEDURE).
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT02478437?
This trial is sponsored by Northwestern University, which has 1,209 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Where is trial NCT02478437 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Illinois. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
Learn More About Clinical Trials
Similar trials for Low Back Pain
Matched on the same primary condition, ranked to surface studies in the same phase first, then by recruiting status, no relevance scoring or editorial curation.
Where NCT02478437's enrollment target sits among peer trials
48 89th of 122 higher than 32 of 122 other Low Back Pain trials
participants (enrollment target), bucketed by value
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more other Low Back Pain trials. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source ClinicalTrials.gov registry export · 2026-08-08
-
Nonpharmacologic Pain Management in FQHC Primary Care Clinics
RECRUITING · Phase 3
-
The Use of Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the Treatment of Low Back Pain
COMPLETED · Phase 3
-
Analgesic Efficacy and Management of Opioid-induced Constipation (OIC) for Uncontrolled Moderate - Severe Low Back Pain
COMPLETED · Phase 3
-
Efficacy and Safety of Oxycodone/Naloxone Controlled-release Tablets (OXN) Compared to Placebo in Opioid-experienced Subjects With Moderate to Severe Chronic Low Back Pain
COMPLETED · Phase 3
-
Efficacy Study to Evaluate Buprenorphine HCl Buccal Film in Opioid-Experienced Subjects
COMPLETED · Phase 3
-
Osteopathic Health Outcomes in Chronic Low Back Pain (OSTEOPATHIC) Trial
COMPLETED · Phase 3
Nationwide trials with similar profiles
Cross-condition peers matched on enrollment target and registry start date, not the same-condition list above.
Similar enrollment target
- NCT01765777 · 48 participants · NA
Efficacy of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and Phototherapy for Patients With Chronic Lower Back Pain
- NCT03073343 · 48 participants · NA
A Prospective, Randomized, Open Label Trial of Two Doses of Oral Betaine
- NCT03431064 · 48 participants
Lung Recruitment Maneuver as a Potential Predictor of Fluid Responsiveness in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients
- NCT03514602 · 48 participants · NA
Maternal Smoking Cessation and Pediatric Obesity Prevention
Similar registry start date
- NCT05988463 · started 2027-01-01 · Phase 1
Dose-Escalation Study of Artesunate Patients With IPF
- NCT07219706 · started 2026-12-10 · NA
Dietary Fiber and Time Restricted Eating
- NCT02831335 · started 2026-12-01
Technical Development of Multi-Parametric Renocerebral MRI
- NCT05962346 · started 2026-12 · NA
Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Occlusion for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia