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Medication Overuse HeadachePRIMOGONNCT07360782

Personalized Pulsed Radiofrequency of the Greater Occipital Nerve for Medication Overuse Headache

A study testing Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency in people with Medication Overuse Headache, run by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This study evaluates a novel treatment approach for medication overuse headache (MOH) using greater occipital nerve pulsed radiofrequency (GONPRF). Three treatment strategies are compared: Standard Treatment: Limitation of overused acute headache medications, lifestyle counseling, and continuation of existing… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Medication Overuse Headache
What is being tested?
Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
90 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
26 Jan 2026to Aug 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age 18-65 years
  • Diagnosed with Medication Overuse Headache (MOH) according to ICHD-3 criteria
  • No laboratory evidence of bleeding or clotting disorders
  • No active infection
  • Not pregnant and no suspicion of pregnancy
  • No history of craniocervical surgery that may alter anatomical structures at the intervention site
  • Able to understand the study procedures, provide written informed consent, and comply with treatment

Who cannot join

  • Changes in preventive treatment for migraine and/or tension-type headache within the last 3 months
  • Severe systemic disease (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, serious cardiovascular disease, malignancy)
  • Psychiatric disorders (including current antidepressant use or psychiatric follow-up)
  • History of alcohol or substance abuse
  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or plans for pregnancy in the next 12 months
  • Concurrent use of other prophylactic headache treatments

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Şükriye Dadalı, MD contact

+905333316636

sukriyedadali@gmail.com

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Ankara Bilkent City Hospital

    Ankara, 06800

    Sukriye Dadali, MD, +905333316636, sukriyedadali@gmail.com

    Şükriye Dadalı, MD, +905333316636, sukriyedadali@gmail.com

    Recruiting

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Individualized Application of Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency in Medication Overuse Headache: A Randomized Controlled Evaluation

This study evaluates a novel treatment approach for medication overuse headache (MOH) using greater occipital nerve pulsed radiofrequency (GONPRF).

Three treatment strategies are compared:

Read more

Standard Treatment: Limitation of overused acute headache medications, lifestyle counseling, and continuation of existing preventive medications.

Primary GONPRF: GONPRF administered in addition to standard treatment.

Modified GONPRF: GONPRF administered as a second-line intervention in individuals who do not respond adequately to standard treatment alone.

The study assesses whether GONPRF, when applied early or after an initial period of standard care, reduces monthly headache days more rapidly and effectively than standard treatment alone. Outcomes are evaluated over a 6-month follow-up period using headache diaries and scheduled clinical assessments.

This is a randomized controlled trial designed to systematically evaluate the clinical benefit of GONPRF in patients with medication overuse headache.

Read the detailed description

This is a single-center, prospective, adaptive randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of greater occipital nerve pulsed radiofrequency (GONPRF) in patients with medication overuse headache (MOH). Although occipital nerve blocks have been investigated in MOH, randomized controlled trials evaluating GONPRF in this population are lacking. The study aims to compare different treatment strategies incorporating GONPRF in the management of MOH.

Study Design

The trial employs a two-stage adaptive randomized design.

Stage 1 - Initial Randomization

Patients diagnosed with MOH according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3), are randomized in a 2:1 ratio into two groups:

Standard Treatment Group: Limitation of overused acute headache medications, lifestyle recommendations (including nutrition, hydration, physical activity, and sleep hygiene), and continuation of ongoing preventive medications without dose modification.

Primary GONPRF Group: Ultrasound-guided GONPRF applied at the C2 level in addition to standard treatment.

Stage 2 - One-Month Assessment

At one month, all patients are evaluated for predefined primary and secondary outcome measures, including monthly headache days, headache intensity, number of days requiring acute medication, Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), and Global Perceived Effect (GPE) scores.

Patients in the Standard Treatment Group who fail to achieve a ≥50% improvement in at least one primary outcome measure receive GONPRF as a second-line intervention and are classified as the Modified GONPRF Group. Patients demonstrating adequate response continue standard treatment and are classified as Standard Treatment Responders.

Patients initially randomized to the Primary GONPRF Group continue follow-up without additional intervention modifications.

Follow-Up and Data Collection

All interventions are performed on an outpatient basis. Follow-up assessments are conducted at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months. Patients maintain daily headache diaries documenting headache occurrence, intensity, duration, and use of acute headache medications. Diary data are supplemented by structured clinical evaluations at each follow-up visit.

Adaptive Outcome Classification

Following the one-month assessment, patients are categorized into three groups:

Standard Treatment Responders (Group A1)

Modified GONPRF Group (Group A2)

Primary GONPRF Group (Group B)

The final distribution among the three groups is anticipated to be approximately equal.

Acute Medication Protocol

Patients receive structured counseling regarding limitation of overused acute headache medications. Alternative short-acting analgesic or antimigraine medications may be used, limited to a maximum of two days per week. Preventive medications in use at baseline are continued without dose adjustment throughout the study period.

Study Purpose

The primary objective is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of GONPRF in the treatment of medication overuse headache when applied either as an early adjunctive therapy or as a second-line intervention following standard care. A secondary objective is to assess whether the timing of GONPRF initiation influences clinical outcomes.

Being tested
Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency, Standard care
Keywords
Medication Overuse Headache, Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency, Headache Treatment
Medical subject headings
Headache Disorders, Secondary

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed RadiofrequencyProcedure or surgery

    GONPRF applied at C2 under ultrasound guidance in addition to standard care, starting at enrollment. Follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months.

  • Standard careOther

    Limitation of overused acute headache medications, lifestyle advice (nutrition, hydration, activity, sleep), and continuation of preventive medications. Participants who respond at 1 month continue standard care.

Study groups in NCT07360782
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Arm 1- Standard Treatment (Group A1)ExperimentalIntervention Name: Standard Care Intervention Type: Other (Behavioral / Educational / Non-drug) Description: Limitation of overused acute headache medications, lifestyle advice (nutrition, hydration, activity, sleep), and continuation of preventive medications. Participants who respond at 1 month continue standard care.
Receives: Other: Standard care
Arm 2: Primary GONPRF (Group B)ExperimentalIntervention Name: Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency (GONPRF) Intervention Type: Procedure Description: GONPRF applied at C2 under ultrasound guidance in addition to standard care, starting at enrollment. Follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months.
Receives: Procedure: Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency
Arm 3: Modified GONPRF (Group A2)ExperimentalIntervention Name: Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency (GONPRF) - Second Line Intervention Type: Procedure Description: Participants initially on standard care who do not achieve ≥50% improvement at 1 month receive GONPRF as a second-line intervention, alongside continued standard care, with follow-up at 3 and 6 months.
Receives: Procedure: Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Monthly Headache Days

    Number of headache days per month, defined as days with headache lasting ≥4 hours and/or requiring acute headache treatment, recorded using patient headache diaries. The primary analysis compares the change from baseline to 3 months.

    Measured: Baseline to 3 months

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Monthly Headache Days - 1 and 6 Months

    Number of headache days per month assessed at early and longer-term follow-up time points to evaluate short- and long-term treatment effects.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month, and 6 months

  2. Monthly Acute Medication Use Days

    Number of days per month on which acute headache medications (paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, triptans, ergot derivatives, or opioids) are used, as recorded in headache diaries.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months

  3. Headache Pain Intensity (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS)

    Average and maximum headache pain intensity per attack measured using the 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain. Higher scores represent greater pain severity.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months

  4. Headache Duration (hours)

    Average duration of each headache attack in hours.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months

  5. Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) Score

    Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) total score, range 0-78, measuring the impact of headaches on daily activities, social functioning, work, and quality of life. Higher scores indicate greater headache-related disability (worse outcome).

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months

  6. Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) Grade

    Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) evaluates headache-related disability over the past 3 months. Scores are categorized into four grades:

    Grade I: Minimal or infrequent disability Grade II: Mild disability Grade III: Moderate disability Grade IV: Severe disability Higher grades indicate greater disability (worse outcome). Participants will be assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

    Measured: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months

  7. Global Perceived Effect (GPE) Score

    Global Perceived Effect (GPE) is a 7-point Likert scale measuring overall change in the patient's main complaint and general well-being. Scores range from 1 (much worse) to 7 (much improved), with higher scores indicating greater improvement.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 Jan 2026
  2. Study start26 Jan 2026
  3. Primary completionDec 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionAug 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Participants are initially randomized in a parallel design to receive either standard treatment alone or standard treatment plus greater occipital nerve pulsed radiofrequency (GONPRF). An adaptive second stage is applied at the 1-month assessment, in which participants who do not respond adequately to standard treatment receive GONPRF as a second-line intervention, while follow-up continues in parallel groups.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
90 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07360782
Sponsor's protocol ID
E2-25-12241
Acronym
PRIMOGON
Status last verified
Jan 2026
First submitted
10 Jan 2026
Last updated
27 Jan 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: IPD sharing is not planned due to national regulations regarding patient data confidentiality.

Publications

  • Gosalia H, Moreno-Ajona D, Goadsby PJ. Medication-overuse headache: a narrative review. J Headache Pain. 2024 May 31;25(1):89. doi: 10.1186/s10194-024-01755-w.

    PubMed 38816828
  • Ashina S, Terwindt GM, Steiner TJ, Lee MJ, Porreca F, Tassorelli C, Schwedt TJ, Jensen RH, Diener HC, Lipton RB. Medication overuse headache. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2023 Feb 2;9(1):5. doi: 10.1038/s41572-022-00415-0.

    PubMed 36732518

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency in people with Medication Overuse Headache, run by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Şükriye Dadalı, MD (+905333316636, sukriyedadali@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Monthly Headache Days (time frame: Baseline to 3 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07360782, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Jan 2026.

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