Tecar Therapy in Lumbar Disc Herniation

NCT ID: NCT07082660

Last Updated: 2025-07-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-01-01

Study Completion Date

2023-05-20

Brief Summary

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This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of Tecar therapy on pain intensity and functional status in patients with lumbar disc herniation. The intervention group received Tecar therapy combined with conventional physiotherapy, while the control group received only conventional physiotherapy. Outcome measures include pain intensity, lumbar mobility, and functional disability. The study aims to determine whether Tecar therapy provides additional benefits compared to standard care in the early rehabilitation of individuals with lumbar disc herniation.

Detailed Description

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Background Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition that can significantly impair quality of life due to pain and functional limitations. Rehabilitation strategies often include lumbar stabilization exercises, and adjunct electrotherapies such as capacitive-resistive diathermy (TECAR) have gained interest for their potential therapeutic effects.

Purpose This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of adding high-frequency capacitive-resistive diathermic current (TECAR) therapy to lumbar stabilization exercises, compared to lumbar stabilization exercises alone, on pain intensity, functional status, and lumbar range of motion in individuals with chronic LDH.

Methods

Thirty participants with chronic LDH (duration \>6 months) and no neurological deficits will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups:

TECAR + Exercise Group (TEG, n=15): Participants will receive 12 sessions of TECAR therapy (20 minutes, 3 sessions per week) in combination with lumbar stabilization exercises over 4 weeks.

Exercise Group (EG, n=15): Participants will receive only lumbar stabilization exercises with the same frequency and duration.

Outcome measures will include:

Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS)

Functional status (Oswestry Disability Index - ODI)

Lumbar range of motion (goniometry)

All evaluations will be performed pre- and post-intervention by a physiotherapist who is blinded to group allocation.

Conditions

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Lumbal Disc Herniation Capacitive and Resistive Electric Transfer Therapy Exercise Training

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants were randomly assigned to two parallel groups receiving either TECAR + lumbar stabilization or lumbar stabilization only.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
Participants were masked to their group assignments throughout the intervention period. Both groups received treatment in a similar clinical environment, and the application of TECAR therapy was performed using identical procedures and equipment setup to prevent participants from discerning their allocation. The physiotherapist administering the intervention was aware of group assignments, but outcome assessments were standardized to minimize bias.

Study Groups

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TECAR Therapy Combined with Lumbal Stabilization Exercises

Participants in this group will receive high-frequency capacitive-resistive diathermic current (TECAR) therapy (20 minutes per session, 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks) in addition to a lumbal stabilization exercise program (12 sessions total).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

High-Frequency Capacitive-Resistive Diathermic Current Therapy (TECAR)

Intervention Type DEVICE

20 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 4 weeks

Lumbal Stabilization Exercises Only

Participants in this group will receive only the lumbal stabilization exercise program, 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total), with no TECAR therapy applied.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Lumbal Stabilization Exercise Program

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, each session includes core stabilization and lumbar control exercises (12 sessions total).

Interventions

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High-Frequency Capacitive-Resistive Diathermic Current Therapy (TECAR)

20 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 4 weeks

Intervention Type DEVICE

Lumbal Stabilization Exercise Program

3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, each session includes core stabilization and lumbar control exercises (12 sessions total).

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* aged 20-60 years
* diagnosed with low back pain
* pain localized between L1 and L5
* having low back pain lasting for more than 3 months \[24\].

Exclusion Criteria

* having sensory disturbances
* muscle weakness, or reflex loss identified during motor, sensory, or reflex examinations
* history of prior lumbal spine surgery or vertebral fractures
* presence of electronic medical devices such as pacemakers or other implants contraindicated for electrical stimulation or high-frequency diathermy therapy
* patients officially registered as disabled or receiving social benefits due to low back pain, severe osteoporosis, osteomalacia, malignancy, infectious diseases, or systemic musculoskeletal or rheumatological disorders,
* pregnancy,
* cardiovascular conditions preventing exercise, or viscerogenic causes of low back pain
Minimum Eligible Age

20 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Şebnem Nur Alkan

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Şebnem Nur Alkan

Assistant Professor of Physiotherapy, Atlas University

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Atlas University

Istanbul, Kagıthane, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

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ETTBI-LDH-2023-01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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