A Superiority Trial of Radiofrequency Ablation for Low Back Pain
Eligible age
18+ yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
3 states
Healthy volunteers
No
See if you qualify for this study
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About this study
The purpose of the ASTRAL Study is to evaluate the effectiveness of LRFA (Lumbar radiofrequency ablation) against a control procedure. The ASTRAL Study will enroll individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and randomly assign them to one of three groups: lumbar radiofrequency ablation using conventional electrodes placed parallel to the medial branch nerves (LRFA-C), lumbar radiofrequency ablation using multi-tined electrodes placed perpendicular to the medial branch nerves (LRFA-M), or a simulated radiofrequency ablation procedure.
Sponsor: University of Washington
You may qualify if…
- ✓ Age ≥18 years
- ✓ CLBP of duration ≥ 3 months. Low back pain is defined as occurring between the lower posterior margin of the rib cage and the horizontal gluteal fold.
- ✓ Low back pain intensity numerical rating scale (NRS) ≥ 4 with one of the following prior to LRFA: 1) Current low back pain intensity, 2) Average pain over past 7 days, OR 3) Pain intensity without specification of recall period
- ✓ Has had conservative treatments for CLBP (physical therapy, exercise therapy, spinal manipulation, massage, acupuncture, etc.)
- ✓ Candidate for unilateral LRFA (L1-S1 joints; ≤3 levels); or bilateral LRFA (L1-S1 joints; ≤2 levels)
- ✓ 'Positive responses' (≥80% improvement of CLBP pain intensity) to 2 sets of anesthetic-only MBBs (≤0.5cc of local anesthetic)
- ✓ Able to read, speak, and understand English sufficient for informed consent purposes
- ✓ Stated willingness to comply with all study processes and availability for the duration of the study, and provision of a signed and dated informed consent form
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ CLBP attributed primarily to specific spine-related conditions (radiculopathy, lumbar spinal stenosis, spinal instability), 'red flag' conditions (infection / malignancy / fracture), and/or inflammatory arthritis (RA, SpA, etc.)
- ✕ Prior LRFA
- ✕ Prior lumbar facet joint (intra-articular or medial branch nerve) corticosteroid injections (past 6 months)
- ✕ Surgery involving one or more of spinal levels where LRFA is to be performed, in the past 2 years
- ✕ Lumbar fusion involving the spinal levels where LRFA is considered, at any time
- ✕ Prior known severe lumbar central canal stenosis on MRI as defined by Lee (2011): obliteration of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and marked compression of dural sac, and none of the cauda equina can be visually separated from each other. No new MRIs would be done specifically as part of the study processes.
- ✕ Prior formal diagnosis of fibromyalgia by a rheumatologist (diagnosis by primary care physician or pain medicine specialist is not sufficient)
- ✕ Unstable psychiatric or terminal medical conditions that would limit study participation and the likelihood of follow-up for 12 months post-randomization
Where it's recruiting
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT07222462 · last updated 2026-02-09