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Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Trigger Point Injection for Chronic Thoracic Myofascial Pain

NCT07632820 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: PHASE4 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 76

Last updated 2026-06-08

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Chronic thoracic (mid-back) pain can be difficult to treat, and there is limited evidence to guide the use of injection therapies for pain arising from muscles and surrounding soft tissues. Two commonly used treatments are trigger point injections (TPI) and erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks, but no studies have directly compared their effectiveness for chronic thoracic myofascial pain. The purpose of this study is to compare pain relief, physical function, emotional well-being, patient satisfaction, and safety following treatment with either an ESP block or TPI. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of the two treatments. Researchers will follow participants for up to 12 weeks after the procedure and collect information through questionnaires and pain assessments.

Conditions

Interventions

DRUG

Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) Block with 0.5% Plain Bupivacaine

Participants will receive an ultrasound-guided thoracic erector spinae plane (ESP) block at the thoracic level corresponding to the location of maximal pain. Under ultrasound guidance, a 22-gauge needle will be advanced into the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle and superficial to the transverse process. Participants will receive 5 mL of 0.5% plain bupivacaine per side, with bilateral injections performed when clinically indicated for bilateral thoracic pain.

DRUG

Trigger Point Injection (TPI) with 0.5% Plain Bupivacaine

Participants will receive ultrasound-guided trigger point injection(s) into the thoracic paraspinal musculature at the site(s) of maximal tenderness. Under ultrasound guidance, 0.5% plain bupivacaine will be injected in volumes of 1-2 mL per injection site, with a maximum total volume of 5 mL per side and up to five injection sites per laterality.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

    collaborator OTHER

  • Ohio State University

    collaborator OTHER

  • University of Maryland, Baltimore

    collaborator OTHER

  • Mayo Clinic

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Ryan D'Souza, MD · Mayo Clinic

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
80 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-08-01
Primary Completion
2029-08-01
Completion
2029-08-30
FDA Drug
Yes

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Diseases
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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07632820 on ClinicalTrials.gov