Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Prediction of Treatment Response in Sciatica Patients Receiving Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
Launched by MARMARA UNIVERSITY · Jul 15, 2025
Trial Information
Current as of August 19, 2025
Not yet recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is studying how well an artificial intelligence (AI) program can predict how patients with sciatica—a type of nerve pain that often causes lower back and leg pain—will respond to a specific treatment called transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI). This treatment involves injecting medicine near the nerves in the lower back to reduce inflammation and pain. The goal is to use information from patients’ health exams, imaging tests, and other data to help doctors better predict who will benefit most from this injection, making treatment more personalized.
Adults who have had sciatica symptoms for at least three months, have nerve problems seen on imaging tests, and have not improved with standard treatments may be eligible to join. Participants will receive the steroid injection as planned and will have their pain levels checked before the injection and several times afterward—starting just one hour after treatment and continuing up to six months later. The main focus will be on whether their pain decreases by half or more. People with certain conditions, like cancer, blood clotting problems, pregnancy, or recent steroid injections, will not be able to join. This study is not yet recruiting but aims to help improve future treatment decisions for sciatica patients.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- • Age 18 years or older
- • Presence of clinical and radiological radiculopathy findings consistent with L4, L5, or S1 nerve root involvement
- • Symptoms present for at least 3 months
- • Resistant to conservative treatment
- • Scheduled for transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) by a pain medicine specialist
- • Being willing to participate in the study and having signed a consent form
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • Malignancy
- • Coagulation disorders
- • Pregnancy
- • History of allergic reaction to the injected substances
- • History of major psychiatric disorders
- • Presence of known coagulopathy
- • Receiving systemic steroid treatment for any reason
- • Having received an epidural steroid injection within the last 3 months
About Marmara University
Marmara University is a distinguished academic institution located in Istanbul, Turkey, renowned for its commitment to advancing healthcare through innovative research and clinical trials. With a robust infrastructure and a multidisciplinary approach, the university actively engages in the development and evaluation of new therapeutic interventions, fostering collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and industry partners. Marmara University’s focus on ethical standards and patient safety underscores its dedication to contributing valuable insights to the medical community and improving health outcomes.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Istanbul, Maltepe, Turkey
Patients applied
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported