NCT07506785

Home-Based Exercise After Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection for Cervical Radiculopathy

Effect of a Home-Based Exercise Program After Cervical Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Necmettin Erbakan University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Cervical radiculopathy is a common cause of neck and arm pain resulting from compression or inflammation of a cervical nerve root. Cervical epidural steroid injection is frequently used to reduce pain and improve function in patients who do not respond to conservative treatment. However, long-term functional recovery may require additional rehabilitation strategies. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether adding a standardized home-based exercise program after cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection improves pain, disability, sleep quality, and quality of life in patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either injection alone or injection followed by an eight-week home-based exercise program.

Detailed description

Chronic cervical radiculopathy is a common cause of neck and arm pain and may lead to significant disability, reduced quality of life, and sleep disturbances. Cervical epidural steroid injection is widely used to relieve radicular pain by reducing inflammation and nerve root irritation. Although injections may provide short-term pain relief, symptom recurrence and persistent functional limitations remain common. Exercise-based rehabilitation is an important component of conservative management for cervical spine disorders. Initiating rehabilitation during the period of pain relief following injection may help improve neuromuscular function and enhance long-term recovery. However, structured rehabilitation after spinal injections is not consistently incorporated into routine clinical practice, particularly in interventional pain settings. This prospective randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized home-based exercise program initiated after cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection in patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: cervical epidural steroid injection alone or cervical epidural steroid injection followed by an eight-week home-based exercise program. The primary outcome will be neck-related disability assessed using the Neck Disability Index at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include pain intensity, health-related quality of life, sleep quality, and analgesic medication use.

Conditions

• Cervical Radiculopathy
• Home Based Rehabilitation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Cervical Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection	Fluoroscopy-guided cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection performed at the C7-T1 interlaminar space using a paramedian approach. Epidural placement is confirmed with contrast medium under fluoroscopic visualization. A total of 8 mg dexamethasone is injected into the epidural space to reduce inflammation and nerve root irritation associated with cervical radiculopathy.
BEHAVIORAL	Home-Based Exercise Program	Participants perform a standardized home-based neck exercise program initiated after cervical epidural steroid injection and continued for 8 weeks. The program includes cervical mobility exercises, isometric strengthening exercises, deep cervical muscle activation, and stretching exercises targeting the upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles. Exercises are performed five days per week for approximately 15-20 minutes per session. Participants receive initial supervised instruction and a printed exercise brochure to facilitate correct performance and adherence.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-01
• Primary completion: 2026-05-01
• Completion: 2026-06-01
• First posted: 2026-04-02
• Last updated: 2026-04-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)