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Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Trigger Point Injection for Chronic Thoracic Myofascial Pain
Ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) Block Versus Trigger Point Injection (TPI) for Chronic Thoracic Myofascial Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Who can join
Ages 18 to 80 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18-80 years * Chronic thoracic myofascial pain lasting at least three months * Pain intensity of ≥4 on 11-point NRS * At least two of three following conditions: Focal thoracic paraspinal pain, palpable taut band, referred pain pattern with palpation Exclusion Criteria: * Thoracic radiculopathy * Cervical myelopathy with neurological deficit * Prior cervicothoracic spine surgery * Pregnancy or lactation * Contraindication to local anesthetic * Active malignancy * Fibromyalgia * BMI \>40 kg/m2 * Workers' compensation or active litigation related to thoracic pain * Acute herpes zoster or history of postherpetic neuralgia involving thoracic dermatomes * Current opioid use \>50 morphine milligram equivalents daily * Severe psychiatric or cognitive disorders, specifically history of schizophrenia, chronic psychotic disorders, dementia * History of substance use disorder * Inability to provide informed consent
About the study
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.
What is being tested
- Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) Block with 0.5% Plain Bupivacaine (drug)
- Trigger Point Injection (TPI) with 0.5% Plain Bupivacaine (drug)
Sponsor: Mayo Clinic · Participants: 76 · Started: Aug 13, 2026
Contact the study team
- Ryan D'Souza, MD · Phone: 507-284-9696
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07632820
Locations in the U.S.
| Florida | Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville (Not yet recruiting) |
| Maryland | University of Maryland, Baltimore (Not yet recruiting) |
| Minnesota | Mayo Clinic, Rochester |
| Ohio | The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus (Not yet recruiting) |
| Texas | MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston (Not yet recruiting) |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.