High-Intensity Laser Therapy vs Epidural Injection for Chronic Lumbar Disc Herniation Pain

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

In this randomized, single-blind study, adults with chronic axial and radicular pain due to lumbar disc herniation are assigned to either high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) or fluoroscopy-guided transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI), with all participants also following a home-based exercise program. Pain intensity on the Visual Analog Scale is the primary outcome, measured at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks; secondary outcomes include functional disability, neuropathic pain symptoms, quality of life, and walking capacity. The trial aims to determine which intervention provides better pain relief and functional improvement over 12 weeks. Participants attend 15 HILT sessions over 3 weeks or receive a TFESI procedure, with eligibility limited to adults 18–65 years old who have imaging-confirmed lumbar disc herniation and chronic symptoms lasting more than 3 months. The study is conducted at Ankara City Hospital Bilkent and affiliated centers in Ankara, Turkey.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 65 years
* Diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation confirmed by clinical examination and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging
* Chronic axial low back pain and radicular pain related to lumbar disc herniation
* Low back and/or radicular pain lasting longer than 3 months
* Resting low back and/or radicular pain intensity of ≥5 on a 0-10 visual analog scale
* Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
* Presence of a cardiac pacemaker
* History of epilepsy
* Active or previous malignancy
* History of spinal surgery
* Uncontrolled systemic or psychiatric disease
* Cauda equina syndrome or progressive neurological deficit
* Peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic or alcohol-related neuropathy
* Neurodegenerative disease
* Acute trauma
* Active systemic infection
* Local infection or skin disease at the injection site or treatment area
* Body mass index greater than 40 kg/m²
* Bleeding disorder that contraindicates treatment
* Spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, or spondylolisthesis
* Neurogenic bladder or bowel syndrome
* Rheumatologic disease
* Arterial vascular disease or vascular claudication
* Receipt of other physical therapy modalities within the last 3 months
* Receipt of spinal injection therapy within the last 3 months
* History of allergy to injection agents

Where it's running

• Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital
  Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Esra Ülgen Kıratlıoğlu, MD
• Email: esraulgen@gmail.com
• Phone: +905079614194

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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.