Clinical Trial: Oral Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy
Study Status: Terminated
Recruit Status: Terminated
Study Type: Interventional
Official Title: Oral Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy: A Double Blinded, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Trial
Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to determine whether dexamethasone is effective in the treatment of pain and disability resulting from a compressed spinal nerve in the neck (cervical radiculopathy).
Detailed Summary: Cervical radiculopathy is causes both short and long term pain and diability. The current proven treatments include pain killers or surgery if there if patients experience progressive weakness or signs or spinal cord compression. Observations in both animal models and humans indicate that there is an inflammatory component to it. Corticosteroids (such as dexamethasone)are potent anti-inflammatories which may benefit people suffering from this condition. There is some evidence to support neck injections of drug directly onto the nerve root. This mmethod of drug delivery has been implicated with some serious complications such as paralysis and stroke. Delivering these medications in a pill form may provide a similar benefit without some of the serious complications.
Sponsor: University of Manitoba
Current Primary Outcome: Neck Disability Index
Original Primary Outcome: Same as current
Current Secondary Outcome:
- Visual Numeric Scale for arm & neck pain
- Days missed from work
- Cervical Radiculopathy Neurologic Impairment Scale
Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current
Information By: University of Manitoba
Dates:
Date Received: March 28, 2006
Date Started: November 2006
Date Completion:
Last Updated: April 27, 2011
Last Verified: April 2011
