← Back to Clinical Trials
Recruiting Phase 2 NCT05734625

NCT05734625 Efficacy of Nerve Blocks for Episodic Migraine

◆ AI Clinical Summary
Plain-language summary for patients
Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT05734625
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 2
Sponsor Mayo Clinic
Condition Episodic Migraine
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 60 participants
Start Date 2023-07-10
Primary Completion 2027-02

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age N/A
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Bupivacaine HCl 0.5% Injectable SolutionMethylprednisolone 40 MG Injection

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

In Phase 2, researchers evaluate early signs of effectiveness. You may be randomized to receive the active treatment or a comparator. Monitoring continues closely.

This trial targets 60 participants in total. It began in 2023-07-10 with a primary completion date of 2027-02.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to see how well blocking two to ten of the scalp nerves (that give feeling to the scalp and are painful during migraine headaches) with bupivacaine anesthetic (numbing medication) and low dose methylprednisolone (cortisone-like medicine or steroid) work for treating and preventing migraines. Our hypothesis is that the pain of most episodic migraine headaches can be eliminated and prevented for months by blocking the nerves that give pain sensation during a migraine.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Suffering from episodic migraines with and without aura occurring at least four times a month but less than 15 times a month at a severity of 5/10 pain level or greater. * Willing to not start or stop any new medication to treat or prevent migraines during the six months of the trial. * History fits the definition of migraine: * Have a history of episodic headache lasting 4-72 hours with at least 2 of the 4 following: unilateral location, pulsating/throbbing quality, moderate-severe intensity, aggravation by/causing avoidance of routine physical activity, and * Have a history of at least one of the following: nausea and/or vomiting, photophobia (seek out a dark room during a headache because that feels better), phonophobia (seek out a quiet environment during a headache because that feels better) Exclusion Criteria: * Headache in cheeks (infraorbital nerve distribution) in addition to scalp distribution. * Women who report being currently pregnant or lactating or are of child-bearing potential or are likely to become pregnant during the medication phase and are unwilling to use a reliable form of contraception. Acceptable forms include: * Hormonal methods, such as birth control pills, patches, injections, vaginal ring, or implants * Barrier methods (such as a condom or diaphragm) used with a spermicide (a foam, cream, or gel that kills sperm) * Intrauterine device (IUD) * Total hysterectomy or tubal ligation * Abstinence (no sex) * Allergy or documented contraindication to amide anesthetics (bupivacaine, lidocaine, ropivacaine, prilocaine, mepivacaine, etidocaine or levobupivacaine) or corticosteroids * Previously received peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) * Currently anticoagulated * Currently receiving Botox for migraine prophylaxis * Started on new medication in the prior two months with known migraine-preventive efficacy or planning to start any new medication during the study * Currently using opiate medications for pain * History of drug or alcohol abuse within the prior two years * Have unstable medical or surgical diseases that could impair participation in this study * History of craniotomies, burr holes, skull fractures and/or have open skull defects * Patients with implanted nerve stimulators or shunts * Phobia of needles * Active skin or soft tissue infection overlying injection sites * Diagnosis of medication overuse, cervicogenic, post-traumatic, or cluster headaches or history on pre-enrollment questionnaire of cluster headache symptoms.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Family Medicine Research Study Coordinators

✉ RSTFMSC@mayo.edu

📞 507-422-6823

Principal Investigator

Stephen Merry, MD, MPH

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Mayo Clinic

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT05734625 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Episodic Migraine. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT05734625 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether the treatment shows signs of effectiveness while continuing to monitor safety. More participants are enrolled than in Phase 1 to help refine the treatment protocol.

Is NCT05734625 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT05734625 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at RSTFMSC@mayo.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT05734625 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Rochester, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT05734625 clinical trial?

NCT05734625 is sponsored by Mayo Clinic. The principal investigator is Stephen Merry, MD, MPH at Mayo Clinic. The trial plans to enroll 60 participants.

Related Trials

Related Intelligence Guides

In-depth guides covering this condition's trials, eligibility, and what to expect.

ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology