Actively Recruiting
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Focused Radiofrequency (TECAR) Therapy on Pain, Disability, Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation
Led by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent · Updated on 2026-01-13
54
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
2 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
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.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Focused Radiofrequency (TECAR) Therapy on Pain, Disability, Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Having low back pain lasting longer than 12 weeks
- Diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation (bulging, protruded, or extruded)
- Ability to comply with the exercise program
- Willingness to participate in the study
- Age between 20 and 60 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Younger than 20 years or older than 60 years
- Known or newly diagnosed malignancy
- Presence of cardiac implants such as a pacemaker
- Inflammatory low back pain
- Absolute spinal stenosis (spinal canal diameter < 10 mm, lateral recess diameter < 3 mm)
- History of lumbar surgery or vertebral fracture
- Lumbar spondylolisthesis
- Sequestered disc herniation
- Polyneuropathy
- Central pain following stroke
- Neurological deficits
- Diagnosed neurodegenerative disease
- Systemic musculoskeletal disease
- Acute deep vein thrombosis
- Pregnancy
- Infection at treatment site skin
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bladder or bowel incontinence
- Physical therapy or injections for low back pain within last month
- Cognitive impairment
- Refusal to participate in the study
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 3 weeks
Participants undergo TECAR therapy or sham TECAR therapy along with a home exercise program focused on lumbar active range of motion and isometric strengthening exercises.
3 visits per week for TECAR therapy sessions, plus daily home exercises 5 times per week
Duration - 1 month
Participants are evaluated immediately after treatment and one month after the end of treatment using various pain, disability, function, and quality of life scales.
2 visits (immediately post-treatment and at 1 month post-treatment)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Ankara Bilkent City Hospital
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
cemre y yılmaz
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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