Adding radial shock wave therapy to physical therapy for chronic low back pain
The Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) Added to Conservative Treatment on Pain, Disability, and Ultrasonographic Outcomes in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study tests whether adding radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) to standard physical therapy helps adults with chronic low back pain reduce pain, disability, and change ultrasound measures of back muscles.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 44 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Pamukkale University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Denizli) |
| Trial ID | NCT07132762 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with non-specific chronic low back pain will receive conventional rehabilitation, and a group will also receive radial ESWT added to that program. Pain, disability questionnaires, and ultrasonographic measures including elastography of paraspinal muscles will be recorded at baseline and after the intervention. The trial compares changes between the group receiving ESWT plus rehab and the group receiving rehab alone to determine added effects. Outcomes will focus on patient-reported pain and function together with imaging-based muscle stiffness and morphology.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with non-specific low back pain lasting more than three months are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients with specific lumbar spine diseases (for example radicular pain or spinal stenosis), prior lumbar surgery or trauma, systemic muscle disorders, coagulopathy, pregnancy, active malignancy, or other listed exclusions are unlikely to benefit or will be excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding ESWT could reduce pain and disability and improve back muscle function and ultrasound markers, helping patients resume daily activities more easily.
How similar studies have performed: ESWT has produced positive results in some other musculoskeletal conditions but evidence for chronic low back pain is limited and mixed, so this application is relatively novel with preliminary support.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years * Non-specific low back pain lasting more than three months Exclusion Criteria: * Specific lumbar spine diseases (radicular pain, spinal stenosis, infection) * History of trauma, fracture, surgery, or presence of scar tissue in the lumbar region * Presence of a disease that may affect muscle stiffness, such as collagen tissue disorders, hemiplegia, multiple sclerosis, or myopathies * Malignancy, pregnancy, severe hypertension * Coagulopathy, chronic heart disease * Ankylosing spondylitis * Diseases that may initially affect lumbar mobility and pain, such as leg length discrepancy, hip prosthesis, or scoliosis
Where this trial is running
Denizli
- Pamukkale University — Denizli, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Füsun Ardıç, Professor
- Email: ardicf@gmail.com
- Phone: +905342197714
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.