Shock Wave Therapy vs High-Intensity Laser Therapy for Tailbone 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

This is a single-center, randomized, open-label study comparing two non-surgical treatments for coccydynia in adults aged 18–65. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either 6 sessions of extracorporeal shock wave therapy or 10 sessions of high-intensity laser therapy over a few weeks. Outcomes focus on changes in sitting-related tailbone pain at baseline and 3 months after the final treatment, with additional lookbacks at early pain relief, daily activities, and sitting ability. Assessments occur before treatment and at 1 and 3 months post-treatment, conducted by an experienced physician in Istanbul. The study aims to determine if one therapy provides greater reductions in coccygeal pain compared with the other.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 to 65 years.
* Diagnosis of coccydynia.
* Coccygeal pain persisting for at least 3 months.
* Persistent symptoms despite previous standard treatments.
* Voluntary agreement to participate and provision of written informed consent.
* Ability to attend regular follow-up visits.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent coccygeal fracture or severe coccygeal dislocation.
* An injection, interventional procedure, or similar treatment to the coccygeal region within the preceding 3 months.
* Previous extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) or high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) for coccydynia.
* Another significant condition that could explain the pain, such as lumbar disc herniation, nerve compression, or significant hip or lumbar disease.
* Suspicion that the pain originates from a non-coccygeal source, including gastrointestinal, urinary, gynecological, infectious, or tumor-related causes.
* History of spinal or pelvic surgery.
* Severe neurological disease, active infection, cancer, a severe bleeding disorder, or pregnancy.
* Another condition causing widespread pain, such as fibromyalgia.
* Inability to attend regular follow-up visits.

Where it's running

• Ahmet Sümen, MD - Private Medical Practice
  Istanbul, Kartal, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Ahmet Sümen, MD
• Email: drasumen@gmail.com
• Phone: +90 212 660 80 70

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Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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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.