Study on Ethyl Chloride Spray for Injection Pain

This study is looking at whether using Ethyl Chloride spray (a topical anesthetic that cools the skin) before corticosteroid injections can reduce pain and anxiety. Corticosteroid injections are common for conditions like osteoarthritis and tendinitis, but they can be uncomfortable. Researchers want to see if Ethyl Chloride spray works better than a cold saline spray (placebo) to lessen discomfort. You might be able to join if you are 18 or older and are receiving a corticosteroid injection in an arm or leg for the first time. The study will measure your pain levels before and after the injection, and your feelings about the spray's effectiveness. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 300 participants. It compares Ethyl Chloride spray to a cold saline spray (placebo).
What's involved
You would receive either Ethyl Chloride spray or cold saline spray before your corticosteroid injection. Your pain levels and perception of the spray will be measured 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after the injection.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain and anxiety levels will be assessed 10 minutes after your injection.

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NCT06651788

Does Ethyl Chloride Spray Work?

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of Chicago
~300 participants
Updated 2026-07-09 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Ethyl ChlorideCold Saline Spray

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
To determine if freeze spray usage before corticosteroid injections significantly reduces patient discomfort during the procedure as measured by pain scores before injection
Measured over 10 minutes before subject receives injection
+3 more outcomes measured
Injection Fear
Injection Pain Prevention
Injection Complication
1 sites across 1 states
Illinois1

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

18 years and older
Receiving a corticosteroid injection in an upper or lower extremity (to include soft tissue and joint injections) for the first time

Exclusion

Patients with previous injection experiences
  • To determine if freeze spray usage before corticosteroid injections significantly reduces patient discomfort during the procedure as measured by pain scores before injection10 minutes before subject receives injection

    Using the visual analog pain scale (0 no pain - 10 worst possible pain) to ask patients their pain rating and if freeze spray usage before corticosteroid injections significantly reduces patient discomfort during the procedure.

  • To determine if freeze spray usage before corticosteroid injections significantly reduces patient discomfort during the procedure as measured by pain scores after injeciton10 minutes after subject receives injection

    Using the visual analog pain scale (0 no pain - 10 worst possible pain) to ask patients their pain rating and if freeze spray usage before corticosteroid injections significantly reduces patient discomfort during the procedure.

  • To assess patient perception of freeze spray efficacy in decreasing anxiety regarding injections.10 minutes after subject receives injection

    Using the treatment satisfaction questionnaire for medication-II to ask patients their anxiety and if freeze spray usage before corticosteroid injections significantly reduces patient anxiety during the procedure.

  • To assess their current overall status compared to their pre-injection baseline10 minutes after subject receives injection

    Using the single assessment numeric evaluation (0% furthest from normal and 100% normal) to ask patients their current status