Thermal QST for Interscale Block Evaluation

Thermal Quantitative Sensory Testing as a Method to Semi-quantitatively Assess the Neurosensory Effects of 3 Local Anesthetic Solutions in an Interscalene Block

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 4

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02271867

Enrollment

Registered

2014-10-22

Start date

2009-07-31

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2014-10-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anesthetics, Local, Nerve Block

Brief summary

Thermal quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a method to evaluate peripheral nerve blocks in a quantitative way. It assesses the neurosensory effects of local anesthetics, like nerve block intensity, duration, recovery, neurotoxicity, the effect of spread of local anesthetic solutions and the effect and the eventual neurotoxicity of adjuvants. We aimed at investigating, in a quantitative way, the block characteristics of 3 different commonly used local anesthetics on peripheral nerves through the application of thermal QST by measuring changes in sensory detection thresholds. Furthermore, we wanted to evaluate if QST could be of value for measuring gradual changes in block characteristics on the adjacent nerves at distance of the injection site in an US-ISB.

Interventions

PROCEDUREInterscalene block

An ultrasound guided ISB was performed with injection aimed to block the C5-root

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Masking

TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Adult patients scheduled for diagnostic and therapeutic shoulder arthroscopy, with or without decompression technique were eligible

Exclusion criteria

* contraindications for ISB * diabetes mellitus * peripheral neuropathy * patients receiving chronic analgesic therapy * contraindications for NSAID * patients with an initial QST with abnormal values

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Presence of sensory block	24 hours after intervention

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Degree of sensory stimulus detection threshold variation from baseline values	24 hours after intervention	The higher the difference in detection threshold variation, the more intense the block. Measured as % change, where 100% change means no sensation on maximal QST stimulus (0°C for cold sensation and 50°C for warm sensation)
Block duration	24 hours after intervention	—
Use of rescue medication	24 hours after intervention	—
Presence of motor block	24 hours after intervention	—

Countries

Belgium

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 15, 2026