Capacitive and Resistive Electrical Transfer (CRET) therapy for hamstring strains
The Effect of Capacitive and Resistive Electrical Transfer Therapy (CRET) on the Return to Play Time in Elite Soccer Players With Hamstring Strain Injuries
This study will try CRET (a radiofrequency heating and biostimulation therapy) with exercise to see if it helps people with recent grade I–II hamstring strains recover faster.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 22 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hacettepe University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara, Altindag) |
| Trial ID | NCT07421570 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Hamstring strains are a common cause of time-loss in athletes and remain difficult to prevent and fully rehabilitate. This interventional study enrolls people with MRI-confirmed grade I or II hamstring injuries within five days of injury and applies CRET using the T-Plus device alongside prescribed exercise. CRET delivers radiofrequency currents (around 448 kHz) to produce deep endogenous heating and proposed biostimulatory effects that may enhance ion channel activity and tissue repair. Clinical and imaging measures of tissue healing and functional recovery will be used to compare outcomes following the CRET-based protocol.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: People with acute-onset grade I or II hamstring strains confirmed by MRI within five days of injury, without prior ACL reconstruction and without skin or sensory problems at the treatment site, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with neurological symptoms, loss of superficial sensation, skin conditions preventing device use, complete (grade III) or chronic tears, or those unable to attend the treatment site are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, CRET could shorten recovery time and improve tissue healing for athletes with subacute hamstring strains, potentially reducing time lost from sport.
How similar studies have performed: Some systematic reviews and preclinical work suggest radiofrequency diathermy and related modalities can accelerate tissue repair, but high-quality randomized data specifically for hamstring injuries remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * History of acute onset hamstring pain. * Grade I or II hamstring strain injury confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) within the first 5 days following the injury. * No history of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of neurological symptoms. * Loss of superficial sensation or skin pathologies that may prevent CRET application. * Refusal to sign the approval form.
Where this trial is running
Ankara, Altindag
- Hacettepe University — Ankara, Altindag, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Irem DUZGUN — Hacettepe University
- Study coordinator: Irem DUZGUN, PHD
- Email: iremduzgun@hacettepe.edu.tr
- Phone: +90 532 477 40 00
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.