NCT07688915 High-Intensity Laser Therapy Versus Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Chronic Lumbar Disc Herniation-Related Low Back and Radicular Pain
| NCT ID | NCT07688915 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Ankara City Hospital Bilkent |
| Condition | Lumbar Disc Herniation |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 24 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-08-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-10-01 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 24 participants in total. It began in 2025-08-01 with a primary completion date of 2026-10-01.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
This prospective, randomized, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy and fluoroscopy-guided transforaminal epidural steroid injection in patients with chronic low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy. Eligible patients will be randomized into two parallel groups. One group will receive high-intensity laser therapy, and the other group will receive transforaminal epidural steroid injection. All participants will also receive a standardized home-based exercise program. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome will be pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale. Secondary outcomes will include functional disability, neuropathic pain symptoms, quality of life, and functional walking capacity.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 65 years * Diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation confirmed by clinical examination and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging * Chronic axial low back pain and radicular pain related to lumbar disc herniation * Low back and/or radicular pain lasting longer than 3 months * Resting low back and/or radicular pain intensity of ≥5 on a 0-10 visual analog scale * Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy * Presence of a cardiac pacemaker * History of epilepsy * Active or previous malignancy * History of spinal surgery * Uncontrolled systemic or psychiatric disease * Cauda equina syndrome or progressive neurological deficit * Peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic or alcohol-related neuropathy * Neurodegenerative disease * Acute trauma * Active systemic infection * Local infection or skin disease at the injection site or treatment area * Body mass index greater than 40 kg/m² * Bleeding disorder that contraindicates treatment * Spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, or spondylolisthesis * Neurogenic bladder or bowel syndrome * Rheumatologic disease * Arterial vascular disease or vascular claudication * Receipt of other physical therapy modalities within the last 3 months * Receipt of spinal injection therapy within the last 3 months * History of allergy to injection agents
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07688915 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 65 Years, studying Lumbar Disc Herniation. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07688915 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07688915 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at esraulgen@gmail.com for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07688915 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye).
Who is sponsoring the NCT07688915 clinical trial?
NCT07688915 is sponsored by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent. The trial plans to enroll 24 participants.