High Intensity Laser Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain

Effectiveness of High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) in Patients With Chronic Lumbar Radiculopathy Due to Disc Herniation

Not applicable Interventional Ankara City Hospital Bilkent · NCT06651775

This study is testing if High Intensity Laser Therapy can help people with chronic low back pain feel better and improve their daily activities compared to a fake treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment70 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorAnkara City Hospital Bilkent Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Ankara, Cankaya)
Trial IDNCT06651775 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This intervention evaluates the effectiveness of High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) in alleviating disability, functionality, and pain in patients suffering from chronic lumbar radiculopathy due to disc herniation. The study involves two groups: one receiving HILT along with conventional treatments and another receiving sham HILT with the same conventional treatments. Participants will undergo 15 treatment sessions and complete questionnaires assessing their pain and functional status before and after the intervention. The goal is to determine both short and long-term effects of HILT compared to standard therapies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-65 diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy due to disc herniation, confirmed by MRI.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions such as inflammatory diseases, malignancies, or severe psychiatric illnesses may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

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

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research into laser therapies, the specific application of HILT for this condition is relatively novel and not extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy due to lumbar disc herniation and whose complaints are correlated with lumbar MRI
* Patients aged 18-65 years
* Patients who agreed to participate in the study
* Literate patients

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy
* Patients with cardiac pacemakers
* Patients with a diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatic disease,
* Patients with a diagnosis of polyneuropathy that precludes receiving treatment,
* Patients with active or history of malignancy within the last 1 year and currently receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy,
* Patients with serious psychiatric illness,
* Patients with severe coagulation disorders,
* Spinal Stenosis (patients with spinal canal diameter less than 8 mm)
* Patients with neurologic deficits that prevent them from receiving treatment,
* Patients with active infection,
* Patients with vasculitis,
* Patients with skin disease in the treated area,
* Patients who received steroid injections and/or physical therapy for the lumbar region within the last 3 months,
* Patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery,
* Patients with acute trauma,
* Patients with a history of lumbar instability,
* Patients with uncontrolled or severe cardiovascular or metabolic disorders

Where this trial is running

Ankara, Cankaya

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 RadiculopathyActivity of Daily Livingchronic low back painhigh intensity laser therapypain
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.