Study of Focused Radiofrequency TECAR Therapy for Pain and Function in Adults Aged 20-60 With Lumbar Disc Herniation

What this Trial Is About

Low back pain is a common and disabling health problem affecting many people, with a lifetime prevalence reported as high as 75-80%. It negatively impacts quality of life and creates significant economic burden due to treatment costs and loss of work. This research aims to develop more effective physical therapy programs for patients with lumbar disc herniation, a condition causing persistent low back pain lasting longer than 12 weeks. The study is designed as a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial involving 54 patients aged 20 to 60 years diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation. Participants will be divided into two groups. One group will receive TECAR therapy, a focused radiofrequency treatment applied by a technician for 20 minutes per session, three times a week for two weeks total six sessions, combined with a home exercise program including lumbar active range of motion and isometric strengthening exercises performed five times per week for three weeks. The other group will receive the same home exercise program along with sham TECAR therapy applied with the same schedule. Initial evaluations and follow-ups will be conducted before treatment, immediately after, and one month after treatment. Throughout the study, patients will undergo assessments using pain scales such as the Visual Analog Scale VAS, Numeric Rating Scale NRS, and questionnaires including the Quality of Life Scale SF-36, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index, Beck Depression Inventory, and physical tests like Finger-to-Floor Distance Measurement and Lumbar Schober Test. These measures will evaluate pain, disability, function, and quality of life. The primary outcome measure is pain level on the VAS up to one month after treatment. Researchers will monitor patient progress and treatment effects during the study period, which runs through February 2026.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Focused Radiofrequency (TECAR) Therapy on Pain, Disability, Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation