Exercise after caudal epidural steroid injection for lumbar disc herniation

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This single‑centre, three‑arm, parallel‑group randomised controlled trial will recruit adults aged 18–70 with MRI‑confirmed lumbar disc herniation who received a caudal epidural steroid injection within the prior two weeks. Participants are randomised (1:1:1) to receive standard physiotherapy (heat, therapeutic ultrasound, TENS) alone or combined with either a moderate‑intensity aerobic programme or a progressive lumbopelvic stabilisation programme, delivered three times weekly for six weeks. Outcomes focus on pain, disability and quality of life measured at predefined follow‑up points to determine comparative short‑term and medium‑term benefits. Allocation concealment and standardised supervised sessions are used to minimise bias.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 to 70 years.
* MRI-confirmed lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.
* Has received a caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) within the past 2 weeks at Çankırı State Hospital.
* Low-back or leg pain intensity ≥ 3 cm on a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale after the injection.
* Medically cleared for moderate aerobic and core-stabilisation exercise (no cardiac or orthopaedic contraindications).
* Able to attend supervised physiotherapy three times per week for six weeks.
* Willing and able to give written informed consent and to comply with study procedures.
* Sufficient Turkish literacy (minimum primary-school education) to complete questionnaires.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Uncontrolled systemic disease (e.g., poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, active hepatitis C or other significant liver disease).
* Neurological red flags such as myelopathy or cauda equina syndrome.
* Previous lumbar spine surgery at the affected disc level.
* Current pregnancy or planning pregnancy during the study period.
* Severe musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or respiratory condition that precludes safe exercise participation.
* Use of systemic corticosteroids or opioid analgesics that cannot be stabilised for the duration of the trial.
* Ongoing litigation or workers' compensation claim related to low-back pain.
* Inability to communicate effectively with study staff or to follow instructions.

Where it's running

• Çankırı State Hospital
  Çankırı, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
• Çankırı State Hospital
  Çankırı, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
• Çankırı Karatekin University
  Çankırı, Turkey (Türkiye) Active not recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Ceyhun Türkmen, PhD
• Email: ceyhunturkmen@karatekin.edu.tr
• Phone: +90 376 218 95 00

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.