Adding balneotherapy to physical therapy for chronic lumbar radiculopathy

The Effect of Adding Balneotherapy to the Physical Therapy Program on Neuropathic Pain, Disability, Daily Living Activities, and Sleep Quality in Patients With Chronic Lumbar Radiculopathy

Not applicable Interventional Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University · NCT06846970

This study is testing whether adding balneotherapy to regular physical therapy can help people with chronic lower back pain feel better and improve their daily activities.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorAfyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Afyonkarahisar, Central and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06846970 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of incorporating balneotherapy into a conventional physical therapy program for patients suffering from chronic lumbar radiculopathy. It aims to assess improvements in neuropathic pain, disability, daily living activities, and sleep quality. Participants will receive either standard physical therapy or a combination of physical therapy and balneotherapy, with outcomes measured through various clinical assessments. The study seeks to provide insights into the potential benefits of balneotherapy as an adjunct treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 diagnosed with chronic lumbar radiculopathy who are seeking outpatient physical therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with severe comorbid conditions or contraindications to balneotherapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve pain management and quality of life for patients with chronic lumbar radiculopathy.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of balneotherapy and physical therapy is less commonly studied, balneotherapy has shown positive effects in similar conditions, suggesting potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged between 18 and 75 years who have been diagnosed with chronic lumbar radiculopathy based on medical history, physical examination, clinical findings, lumbar MRI, and EMG results, and who present to the outpatient clinic for physical therapy without any contraindications for treatment, will be included in the study after obtaining their informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with thermoregulation disorders or sensory deficits
* Patients with lesions that impair skin integrity
* Patients with decompensated heart failure
* Patients with advanced heart, liver, or kidney failure
* Patients with advanced, uncontrolled peripheral venous insufficiency
* Patients with a history of epilepsy or seizures
* Patients with pregnancy, malignancy, or a recent surgical operation
* Patients in the acute exacerbation phase of rheumatic diseases
* Patients with severe anemia
* Patients with tuberculosis
* Patients with febrile infectious diseases
* Patients with diseases associated with bleeding disorders
* Patients who have undergone regular balneotherapy in the past three months
* Patients with polyneuropathy or peripheral nerve damage
* Patients with muscle weakness detected during examination
* Patients with prostheses
* Patients with a history of lumbar surgery Exclusion Criteria for Balneotherapy
* Patients with thermoregulation disorders or sensory deficits
* Patients with lesions that impair skin integrity
* Patients with decompensated heart failure
* Patients with advanced heart, liver, or kidney failure
* Patients with advanced, uncontrolled peripheral venous insufficiency
* Patients with a history of epilepsy or seizures
* Patients with pregnancy, malignancy, or a recent surgical operation
* Patients in the acute exacerbation phase of rheumatic diseases
* Patients with severe anemia
* Patients with tuberculosis
* Patients with febrile infectious diseases
* Patients with diseases associated with bleeding disorders
* Patients who have undergone regular balneotherapy in the past three months
* Patients with polyneuropathy or peripheral nerve damage

Where this trial is running

Afyonkarahisar, Central and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Lumbar RadiculopathyChronic Lumbal Radiculopathybalneotherapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.