Ongoing, recruitingTherapeutic use (Phase IV)Interventional

Duration of peripheral nerve blocks in opioid tolerant individuals - A volunteer blinded matched case-control study

This study is investigating how long a pain-numbing injection, called Lidocaine, works in people who are already used to taking strong painkillers. Doctors use injections like Lidocaine to block pain in a specific area, especially after surgery. This research wants to see if this pain relief lasts for a different amount of time in individuals who regularly use opioid medications compared to those who don't. The main goal is to understand how well these injections manage pain after an operation in this particular group of people. It's a key step in making sure everyone gets the most effective pain relief possible after surgery.

At a glance

Status

Ongoing, recruiting

Phase

Therapeutic use (Phase IV)

Sponsor

Region Midtjylland

Enrolment target

Start

11 Mar 2024

Postoperative pain

What is this study about?

Imagine you're having an operation and the doctors want to make sure you don't feel pain afterwards. They might give you a special injection near the nerves in the area that's being operated on. This injection 'numbs' the area, so you don't feel anything for a while. This study is all about one of these numbing medicines, called Lidocaine, and how long its pain-blocking effect lasts.

Specifically, the researchers are looking at people who already take strong painkillers regularly – these are often called 'opioids'. Sometimes, being used to these strong painkillers can change how other pain medicines work. So, this study wants to see if Lidocaine works for a different amount of time in these individuals compared to people who don't regularly take strong painkillers. They're trying to figure out if Lidocaine keeps the pain away for a shorter or longer time in this group.

The main aim is to understand the timing of when the numbness starts and when it wears off. This information is really important for doctors so they can make best choices about how to manage pain for patients after surgery, especially for those who are already used to strong medications. By understanding this better, doctors can ensure that everyone gets the right amount of pain relief for the right amount of time.

Key takeaways

This study examines how long pain-numbing injections work.
It focuses on people who regularly take strong painkillers.
The goal is to improve pain relief after surgery.
You would receive a standard pain-numbing injection (Lidocaine).
Participation involves observation of how long the numbing effect lasts.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult, 18 years old or older. The study is open to both men and women.

Doctors will carefully check other details about your health and medical history to make sure the study is a good fit for you and safe for you to take part. This will include understanding if you regularly use strong painkillers (opioids).

Even if you meet these basic requirements, the doctors will talk to you to confirm that all other aspects of your health align with what they need for this particular research. This ensures that the study results are clear and helpful for future patients.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you able to understand and provide informed consent?
Are you scheduled for an operation where a nerve block might be used?
Do you regularly take strong painkillers (opioids)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you would receive the pain-numbing injection (Lidocaine) as part of your pain management after an operation. The research team would then carefully observe how long it takes for the numbness to start working and how long the pain relief from the injection lasts. This involves some simple assessments where they might gently touch your skin or ask you about your sensations to see if the numbness is present.

They would also be looking at when the feeling and movement start to come back in the area that was numbed. You wouldn't need to visit a special clinic for this; these observations would happen while you are recovering at the hospital after your surgery. The total duration of your participation would mainly depend on how long the numbing injection works, which could be several hours.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part might help us learn more about tailoring pain relief, which could benefit future patients who regularly use strong painkillers. As with any medical procedure, there's always a small chance of side effects from the injection, such as bruising, discomfort at the injection site, or rarely, other reactions, all of which the medical team will monitor closely. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

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Unverified
Denmark

Common questions

What is Lidocaine?

Lidocaine is a common medicine used to numb a specific part of your body to block pain, often given as an injection.

What are 'opioid tolerant individuals'?

These are people who regularly take strong painkillers, often called opioids, and their body has become used to them.

Will I still get pain relief if I join?

Yes, you will still receive pain relief as part of your standard care, and the study is just observing how long it works for you.

Do I have to do anything special?

Mostly, you just need to allow the medical team to observe how long the numbing injection works and answer a few questions about your feelings.

Is this a new medicine?

No, Lidocaine is a well-known and commonly used medicine. This study is looking at how it works in a specific group of people.