Steroids in Occipital Nerve Block for Treatment of Headache

Completed · Phase 4

Conditions studied: Headache, Occipital Nerve Block

In brief

Currently there is limited evidence of benefit for the addition of steroids to occipital nerve blocks for treatment of headache, and not all steroids have been explored. The purpose of this research is to learn more about whether the addition of a specific kind of steroid (dexamethasone) provides any additional benefit to nerve blocks.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05732532

Run by

Mayo Clinic

People needed

120

Starts

2023-02-17

Expected to finish

2025-06-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-24

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Treated for headache including but not limited to occipital neuralgia, episodic migraine, chronic migraine and/or cervicogenic headache.
• Stable on preventative medication dosing for at least 1 month prior to occipital nerve block and no change in preventative medication regimen during the course of the study.
• Able to understand the requirements of the study and return for treatment.
• Able to independently provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if…

• Diagnosis of cluster headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition.
• Occipital or other cranial nerve block administered within 3 months prior to initiation of study.
• History of adverse reaction or contraindication to any of the study ingredients (bupivacaine, lidocaine, dexamethasone).
• Pregnancy.
• Infection or bleeding at site of injection.
• Cranial bone or cervical spine defects/prior surgeries near injection site that prohibit use of landmark-based technique.

Where it is running

• Mayo Clinic Minnesota — Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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