Peripheral Neurostimulation
Pain Syndrome · Pain Management
What this study involves
The registry does not currently label this study as recruiting. Ask about its status before planning a screening visit.
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Age range
- 18 years - Not specified
- Sex eligible
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Participants
- 150 Estimated
These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.
About the research
Peripheral nerve blocks are routinely used and highly successful for intra-operative anesthesia and post-operative pain management. Nerve blocks are guided using either neurostimulation as a means to localize the right nerve or by ultrasound guidance or combining the 2 methods. The purpose of this study is to assess whether electrical stimulation improves nerve block quality, beyond its simple purpose of nerve localization.
Read the full description
The investigators wish to understand how electrical stimulation can affect local anesthetic disposition when performing a peripheral nerve block.
By studying this subject, the investigators open possibilities for improvement on many levels:
increasing the efficacy of the nerve block allows for a reduced onset time, reduced incidence of incomplete block, and prolonged duration of the local anesthetics. This allows for patients to fully benefit from the analgesic properties of the nerve block, allows for a decrease in delays for the operating room readiness, and a allows for a decrease in the amount of medication needed for a successful nerve block. This will decrease side effects and risks of the nerve blocks. Overall better post-surgical pain control may decrease risks for developing chronic post-operative pain, a major post-operative complication.
The results of this study will open the door to novel approaches to manage acute post-operative pain.
Who may be able to participate?
The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Undergoing elective upper limb surgery with a planned brachial plexus nerve block
Exclusion Criteria:
- Under 18 years old
- ASA score above III
- Chronic pain condition with daily milligrams of morphine equivalent \> 30
- Poorly controlled psychiatric condition
- Coagulopathy
- Active infection
- Moderate, severe or progressing neuropathy
- COPD/Chronic oxygen user
- Pregnancy
- Incarceration
- Unable to consent
- BMI \> 35
- Pacemaker
Treatment, groups and participation
The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.
- Assignment
- Random assignment
- Masking
- Double masked
Ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block with peripheral nerve stimulation
Patients will receive a brachial plexus catheter with ultrasound guidance as per standard of care, with additional use of the B. Braun HNS 12 nerve stimulator during the loading dose of local anesthesia to maintain a gentle twitch.
Device: B Braun HNS 12 nerve stimulator
Ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block without peripheral nerve stimulation
Patients will receive the brachial plexus catheter in the same way the first arm would, and the B Braun nerve stimulator will be placed in the same way, but the ground electrode will not be connected to the patient.
Device: B Braun HNS 12 nerve stimulator sham control
B Braun HNS 12 nerve stimulator DEVICE
Nerve stimulator that is traditionally used for nerve localization during block placements.
B Braun HNS 12 nerve stimulator sham control DEVICE
Stimulator will be placed and turned on, but the grounding electrode will not be connected to prevent nerve stimulation.
What researchers are measuring
Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.
Primary measures
Onset of Motor Block
Time frame: Within 1 hour after the block placement.
Determining time when patient experiences first symptoms of local anesthetic action on the upper trunk distribution (median or musculo cutaneous nerve)
Onset of Sensory Block
Time frame: Within 1 hour after the block placement.
Determining time when patient experiences first symptoms of local anesthetic action on the superior trunk distribution over the shoulder.
Secondary measures
Skin Temperature Change
Time frame: Immediately before and up to 1 hour after neurostimulation and nerve block is performed.
Measuring changes in skin temperature over the course of pre and post stimulation and nerve blocking between the blocked and unblocked arms, measured in degrees Celsius. Using Medline Temperature Sensor.
When Patient Experiences First Pain
Time frame: up to day 7 post operatively
Time after surgery at which the patient experiences first sign of pain at the surgical site, as measured by the time for first local anesthetic bolus based on pump device history.
Time of First Opioid Taken
Time frame: Within the first 7 days after surgery
As measured by asking patients if they were taking opioids daily after surgery, up to one week.
Total Post Operative MME/Opioid Usage at Day 1
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 1
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Total Post Operative MME/Opioid Usage at Day 2
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 2
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Total Post Operative MME Opioid Usage at Day 3
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 3
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Total Post Operative MME Opioid Usage at Day 4
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 4
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Total Post Operative MME Opioid Usage at Day 5
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 5
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Total Post Operative MME Opioid Usage at Day 6
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 6
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Opioid Usage Assessment at Day 7
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 7
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients for amount of pills taken in the last 24 hours (and chart knowledge of prescription mg).
Opioid Usage Assessment at Day 28
Time frame: On Post Operative Day 28
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients 1) if patients took opioids within the last 3 weeks and 2) if so, how many pills per day.
Opioid Usage Assessment at 6 Months
Time frame: On Post Operative Month 6
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients 1) if patients took opioids within the last 5 months and 2) if so, how many pills per day.
Opioid Usage Assessment at 1 Year
Time frame: On Post Operative 1 Year
Milligram of morphine equivalent, measured by asking patients 1) if patients took opioids within the last 6 months and 2) if so, how many pills per day.
Quality of Recovery
Time frame: At Post Operative days 7 and 28 , 6 months, and 1 year
Using the standardized -Quality of Recovery 15- at post operative days 7 and 28, 6 months, and 1 year. Each item count on a 0-10 scale where 0 is worst and 10 is best.
PART A How have you been feeling in the last 24 hours? (0 to 10, where 0 = none of the time \[poor\] and 10 = all of the time \[excellent\]) Q.1 Able to breathe easily Q.2 Been able to enjoy food Q.3 Feeling rested Q.4 Have had a good sleep Q.5 Able to look after personal toilet and hygiene unaided Q.6 Able to communicate with family or friends Q.7 Getting support from hospital doctors and nurses Q.8 Able to return to work or usual home activities Q.9 Feeling comfortable and in control Q.10 Having a feeling of general well-being
PART B Have you had any of the following in the last 24 hours? (10 to 0, where 10 = none of the time \[excellent\] and 0 = all of the time \[poor\]) Q.11 Moderate pain Q.12 Severe pain Q.13 Nausea or vomiting Q.14 Feeling worried or anxious Q.15 Feeling sad or depressed
General satisfaction
Time frame: At post operative days 0, 1, 7, 28, 6 months, and 1 year
General satisfaction on a scale from 1-5 (extremely unsatisfied, unsatisfied, neutral, satisfy, extremely satisfied). Asking patients if they would receive the block again (Y/N).
Adverse Events
Time frame: Asked to patients (Check all that apply) at Post Operative Day 0, 1, 7, 28, 6 Months, and 1 Year. Patients have the opportunity to specify in detail for each sympom they select.
Numbness, Weakness, Tingling, Breathing Difficulties, Hoarseness
Catheter Duration Before Discontinuation
Time frame: After surgery, up until catheter discontinuation.
Patients' catheter duration before discontinuation, as measured by Avoset pump device data.
Total Local Anesthetic Use with Catheter
Time frame: After surgery, up until catheter discontinuation.
Patients' local anesthetic use with catheter, as measured by Avoset pump device data.
Review the complete result tables and limitations in the official record.
Open official results ↗Research locations (1)
The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.
1 locations
Stanford University HospitalStanford, California, United StatesStatus unknown
Study team and timeline
- Lead sponsor
- Stanford University
- Study start
- Jul 23, 2025 Actual
- Primary completion
- Jul 30, 2027 Estimated
- Study completion
- Jul 30, 2027 Estimated
- First posted
- Aug 22, 2024 Actual
- Last updated
- Nov 10, 2026 Actual
Official study contacts
No central contact is listed. Check the locations and the official record.
Official study title
Peripheral Neurostimulation
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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Information is submitted by sponsors and investigators. NLM does not approve the safety or science of all listed studies. Registry disclaimer.
Retrieved: Nov 12, 2026 · Last registry update: Nov 10, 2026