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Diclofenac Gel in the Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache

Diclofenac Gel in the Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

Status
Withdrawn
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05312645
Acronym
DITCH
Enrollment
0
Registered
2022-04-05
Start date
2023-12-31
Completion date
2024-08-21
Last updated
2025-01-23

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

Conditions

Cervicogenic Headache

Keywords

Headache, Cervicogenic, Diclofenac

Brief summary

The intervention will consist of the nursing staff applying 2 grams of diclofenac 1% gel topically to the posterior cervical region four times daily. The control group will receive petroleum jelly topically to the posterior cervical region four times daily. Patients will receive a pre-intervention and post-intervention survey incorporating the Numeric Assessment Scale and Headache Impact Test-6.

Interventions

2 grams topically four times daily for 2 weeks to posterior cervical spine

2 grams topically four times daily for 2 weeks to posterior cervical spine

Sponsors

Loma Linda University
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 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. 18-90 Years old 2. Subject must be able to consent for themselves 3. Hospitalized at Loma Linda East Campus Rehabilitation Hospital 4. English or Spanish speaking 5. Complain of a headache, caused by a disorder of the cervical spine and/or it's component (i.e. bony, disc and/or soft tissue elements) usually but not invariably accompanied by neck pain (Avijgan et al, 2019)).

Exclusion criteria

1. Primary headache secondary to intracranial pathology (i.e. tumors) a. While TBI and Stroke patients can suffer headaches as a sequalae of their intracranial pathologies, it is not always the case that their headache is primarily secondary to their pathology but due to other etiologies such as cervicogenic headache or myofascial pain syndrome. History and physical examination by the medical team will help aid in determining the headache's etiology. 2. Patients on dual antiplatelet therapy a. Aspirin 81mg daily or Clopidogrel (or antiplatelet monotherapy) is acceptable 3. History of cervical spine procedures a. Spinal cord injury patients with cervical neck injuries that have required operative repair will be excluded from the study. 4. Nerve blocks within past 4 weeks or steroid injections within past 6 months. 5. Patients with fibromyalgia 6. Pregnant women 7. Chronic pain on continuous opiate regimen (use of opioids on most days \>90 days) 8. Discharged in less than 14 days from acute inpatient rehabilitation 9. Any contraindication use per diclofenac gel package insert: 1. Known hypersensitivity to diclofenac or any other components of the drug product 2. History of asthma, uriticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. 3. In the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. 10. Development of adverse reaction resulting in discontinuation of diclofenac gel

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain SeverityChange between baseline and day 14 of treatment.Measured with the Numeric Assessment Scale (0 least severe, 10 most severe). This is a composite measurement between pre-intervention baseline and 14 days post-treatment.
Activities of Daily Living Function AssessmentChange between baseline and day 14 of treatment.Measured with Headache Impact Test-6 (score less than 49 indicates little to no impact on daily life, 50-55 indicates some impact, 56-59 indicates substantial impact, greater than 60 indicates severe impact). This is a composite measurement of activities of daily living function between pre-intervention baseline and 14 days post-treatment. Activities of daily living include, but are not limited to, household work, grooming, and social activities.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

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