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The Effect of Ganglion Sphenopalatine Block Versus Placebo on Persistent Headache Following COVID-19 Infection

The Effect of Ganglion Sphenopalatine Block (SPG-block) Versus Placebo on Persistent Headache Following COVID-19 Infection: a Randomised, Blinded, Clinical Trial

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04636034
Enrollment
18
Registered
2020-11-19
Start date
2021-01-12
Completion date
2022-06-06
Last updated
2022-06-10

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

Conditions

Covid19, Headache, Persistent Headache Following COVID-19, Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the ganglion sphenopalatine block (SPG block) on persistent headache following acute COVID-19 infection.

Detailed description

Adult patients with persistent headache following COVID-19 infection will be enrolled in the study. The patients will be randomised into three groups; bilateral SPG-block withto receive local anesthetic (lidocaine + ropivacaine), bilateral SPG-block with placebo (isotone NaCl) or bilateral sham-block with placebo (isotone NaCl). Primary outcome is hyperactivity in the sphenopalatine ganglion assessed by pain intensity (0-100mm on a visual analogue scale, VAS) of the headache in standing position 30 minutes after block in the group Ropicavain-Lidocain and sham.

Interventions

PROCEDURESphenopalatine Ganglion Block with Local Anesthetic

Block performed with bilaterally inserted q-tips with 1:1 mixture of lidocaine 40mg/ml and ropivacaine 5mg/mL

PROCEDURESphenopalatine Ganglion Block with Placebo (Isotone NaCl)

Block performed with bilaterally inserted q-tips with isotone NaCl

PROCEDURESham-block with Placebo (Isotone NaCl)

Block performed with bilaterally inserted q-tips with isotone NaCl. The q-tips are inserted a maximum of 3 cm into the nasopharynx thus not reaching the mucus above the ganglion.

Sponsors

University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age \> 18 years * Moderate to severe headache (NRS \>= 3) with self reported duration of minimum 6 hours during the past week as well as moderate to severe headache (NRS \>= 3) on the day of intervention. * Onset of headache during or maximum 4 weeks after PCR-verified COVID-19 infection. * Headache must have persisted for at least 4 weeks following COVID-19 diagnosis.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients who cannot cooperate to the study * Patients who does not understand or speak Danish * Allergy to the drugs used in the study * Has taken opioids within 12 hours prior to intervention * History of migraine or persistent headache before COVID-19 infection. * Active COVID-19 infection (defined by the Danish Goverment regulations, i.e. 48 hours after last symptoms (omitting long term effects) or 7 days after positive COVID-19 test if no symptoms.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Hyperactivity in the sphenopalatine ganglion assessed by pain intensity (0-100mm on a visual analogue scale, VAS) of the postdural headache in standing position in the group Ropivacine-Lidocaine and sham.30 minutes after blockPain intensity will be measured as worst experienced pain after the patient has been standing for 30 seconds or the worst experienced pain while attempting to stand if the rating has to be interrupted.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of patients with pain rating below 30mm in standing position (0-100mm on a visual analogue scale, VAS)30 minutes and 1 week after blockPain intensity measured as worst experienced pain after the patient has been standing for 30 seconds or the worst experienced pain while attempting to stand if the rating has to be interrupted.
Worst experienced pain in standing position (0-10 on a numercial rating scale, NRS)During study period until completion of 1 week follow upThe worst experienced pain reported during the week following the block as registered by the patient.
Number of patients needing rescue GSP-blockAt 1 week follow upIf the patient at the 1 week follow up still needs further treatment a rescue SPG-block defined as a new SPG-block with open label analgetics will be offered.
Hyperactivity in the sphenopalatine ganglion assessed by pain intensity (0-100mm on a visual analogue scale, VAS) of the postdural headache in standing position in all 3 groups.30 minutes after blockPain intensity will be measured as worst experienced pain after the patient has been standing for 30 seconds or the worst experienced pain while attempting to stand if the rating has to be interrupted.
Average pain intensity (0-10 on a numercial rating scale, NRS)During study period until completion of 1 week follow upThe average pain intensity reported during the week following the block as registered by the patient.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Analgesics used daily in the week following the SPG-blockDuring study period until completion of 1 week follow upThe use of analgesics during the week following the block as registered by the patient and the patient file.

Countries

Denmark

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026