The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether 10% intranasal lidocaine spray reduces pain and improves the success rate of nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion compared to placebo in adult emergency department patients.
The study's primary outcomes were:
Procedure success rate (first-pass success)
Pain during insertion, measured by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), where 0 = "no pain" and 10 = "worst possible pain".
The secondary outcomes included:
Duration of the procedure (in seconds)
Overall success rate (eventual successful insertion regardless of attempts)
Pain score at the 5th minute post-procedure (NRS)
Patient preference for the same method in future procedures (yes/no)
Procedure satisfaction, assessed using an NRS-based score from 0 ("not satisfied at all") to 10 ("completely satisfied").
Participants were randomized to receive either lidocaine or placebo spray intranasally before standard NGT insertion. Pain, success rate, and satisfaction were compared between groups.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 18 years or older
* Presentation to the emergency department during the study period and research assistant's working hours
* Clinical indication for nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion, including:
* Ileus
* Gastrointestinal bleeding monitoring
* Oral feeding difficulties due to neurological or similar disorders
* Intoxication
* Provided written informed consent
* Did not meet any of the exclusion criteria
Exclusion Criteria:
* Hemodynamic instability (hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, or hypoxia)
* Cognitive impairment or inability to cooperate
* Hearing or visual impairment
* Inability to sit upright
* History of epistaxis
* Use of anticoagulant medication
* Coagulopathy (elevated PT/aPTT or thrombocytopenia)
* Increased risk of aspiration
* Known lidocaine allergy
* History of arrhythmia, cardiac disease, or cardiac arrest
* Pregnancy
* Nasopharyngeal obstructive pathology
* Facial or nasal trauma preventing NGT insertion
* Refusal to participate in the study
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.