RecruitingPhase 2

Lidocaine Patch vs Intradermal Lidocaine for Epidural Needle Insertion Pain

United States135 participantsStarted 2026-06-29

Plain-language summary

Needle phobia is a barrier for receiving appropriate care during pregnancy and can lead to complications of the mother and fetus that could easily be avoided. Needle phobia can affect routine prenatal care, increase the demand for general anesthesia during c-section, and increase post-op pain. During epidural placement, providers use local anesthetic in various methods to numb the area where the needle will be inserted. Pain from these anesthetic administrations can increase needle phobia and their side effects. One use of local anesthetic is the lidocaine patch, and studies have shown it is effective in reducing pain level in patients \[6, Firmani\]. The transdermal lidocaine patch may lower the physical pain and mental effects of needle phobia in pregnant women and lower the side effects from that. Although lidocaine patch may take more time to numb the skin, a high number of expecting mothers will not require an epidural for labor analgesia right away. Therefore, administration of lidocaine patch might be an effective alternative. Pregnant women needing epidural placement will be randomized into three groups, the lidocaine patch group, intradermal anesthetic group, or use of both to determine the effectiveness of the lidocaine patch compared to the intradermal administration.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

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 Parturient women requesting neuraxial anesthesia/analgesia (epidural or combined spinal-epidural) for vaginal or cesarean delivery Ability to provide informed consent in English Exclusion Criteria: Less than 30 minutes of lidocaine patch placement prior to epidural placement Administration of opioids within 4 hours before study enrollment Intravenous magnesium sulfate administration within the previous 24 hours Diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or Type 2) Neurocardiogenic signs or symptoms (e.g., dizziness, lightheadedness, bradycardia, or syncope) during intravenous cannulation Cervical dilation greater than 6 cm (if in labor) Spinal anesthesia Chronic pain condition Opioid use disorder Intrauterine fetal demise Prisoner status

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.

What they're measuring

Composite Behavioral Pain Response During Tuohy Needle Insertion (CPOT-Based)

Timeframe: During Tuohy needle insertion (immediately at time of epidural placement procedure)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07700108

SponsorOhio State University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2029-01-31

Contact for this trial

Ling-Qun Hu

6142938487 lingqun.hu@osumc.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Needle Phobia trials