The Effect of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block on Headache and Vasalgia

NCT ID: NCT07060586

Last Updated: 2025-07-11

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

42 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-06-18

Study Completion Date

2025-06-21

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPG block) on headache and veisalgia (hangover) the day after attending the metal festival Copenhell.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPG block) on headache and veisalgia (hangover) the day after attending the metal festival Copenhell.

Headache is one of the most commonly reported symptoms following heavy alcohol consumption and is expected to be particularly pronounced after exposure to noisy environments. Headaches can have negative consequences such as reduced cognitive function and absence from school or work despite treatment with basic pain medication.

A Danish study has previously shown that SPG block is effective against some of the most severe types of headache (e.g., post-dural puncture headache and migraine), but its potential after participation in a music festival has not yet been explored.

The mechanism and pathophysiology behind headache and veisalgia after significant alcohol intake are not well understood but are believed to be multifactorial. Headache following alcohol consumption is thought to arise from a dysreflexia that leads to cerebral vasodilation, which causes the headache. This cerebral vasodilation is mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system, partly via neurons in the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), which is located at the back of the nasal cavity.

Treatment that inhibits this vasodilation by blocking the SPG is still relatively new in Denmark, but a Danish study has demonstrated its effect on post-dural puncture headache, where it was found to potentially cure more than half of the cases, thus sparing patients further invasive treatment. However, the study concluded that much of the block's effect could not necessarily be attributed to the local anesthetic but might instead be due to mechanical stimulation of the ganglion.

In addition to its effect on post-dural puncture headache, the block has also been shown to be effective in migraine, where a similar mechanism is assumed.

The treatment with transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPG block) is simple and minimally invasive, performed by gently inserting a cotton swab with local anesthetic through the patient's nostril to the back wall of the nasal cavity where the ganglion is located. The block has few reported side effects and can be performed with minimal resources.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Vasalgia Headache Hangover

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Block (Lidocaine + Ropivacaine)

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

A bilateral transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block with cotton tips soaked in a mixture of 0.5 mL lidocaine 4% and 0.5 mL ropivacaine 0.5% plus injection through the cotton tips of an additional 1 mL of the mixture. The Danish Medicines Agency waived need for approval as this procedure is not considered a pharmaceutical intervention.

Sham block (Saline)

Incomplete block with saline (no contact with ganglion)

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham Block

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

A sham block with two bilaterally inserted cotton tips not reaching the posterior part of the nasopharyngeal making not contact with the ganglion. Cotton tips are soaked in 1 mL placebo (saline) and have a total of 1 mL saline injected through the cotton tips. The Danish Medicines Agency waived need for approval as this procedure is not considered a pharmaceutical intervention.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block

A bilateral transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block with cotton tips soaked in a mixture of 0.5 mL lidocaine 4% and 0.5 mL ropivacaine 0.5% plus injection through the cotton tips of an additional 1 mL of the mixture. The Danish Medicines Agency waived need for approval as this procedure is not considered a pharmaceutical intervention.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Sham Block

A sham block with two bilaterally inserted cotton tips not reaching the posterior part of the nasopharyngeal making not contact with the ganglion. Cotton tips are soaked in 1 mL placebo (saline) and have a total of 1 mL saline injected through the cotton tips. The Danish Medicines Agency waived need for approval as this procedure is not considered a pharmaceutical intervention.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Meets screening criteria and is present on the day of intervention
* Moderate to severe headache (defined as ≥ 3 on a 0-10 VAS) on the day of intervention

Exclusion Criteria

* Intake of alcohol or other intoxicating substances after waking up on the day of intervention.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Christian S. Meyhoff

MD, PhD, Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Copenhell 2025

Copenhagen, , Denmark

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Denmark

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

SPGCPHHell

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

SPG Blocks for Headaches
NCT04255420 UNKNOWN PHASE4
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block Study
NCT05707754 COMPLETED PHASE1