Tecar Therapy for Lumbar Radiculopathy

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 assessor-blinded, randomized trial will enroll 90 adults with unilateral L5 or S1 radiculopathy and symptoms lasting 6 weeks to 6 months at İzmir City Hospital. Participants are randomized to three groups: conventional physical therapy, Tecar therapy plus conventional therapy, or sham Tecar therapy plus conventional therapy. Tecar therapy uses capacitive and resistive energy transfer applied to the lower back and nearby muscles; the sham group mimics the procedure without energy output. All groups receive postural education and a home exercise program, with outcomes assessed by blinded evaluators. The study adheres to CONSORT guidance to ensure robust reporting.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18-65 years
* Clinical diagnosis of unilateral L5 and/or S1 lumbar radiculopathy
* Symptom duration between 6 weeks and 6 months
* Average radicular pain intensity ≥3 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during the previous month
* Availability of lumbar MRI and/or EMG performed within the previous 6 months
* Willingness to participate and ability to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Bilateral lumbar radiculopathy
* Lumbar spinal canal stenosis confirmed by imaging or suspected clinically (e.g., neurogenic claudication)
* Lower limb muscle strength \<4/5 according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale
* Use of analgesic medications other than paracetamol during the study period
* Physical therapy treatment for low back or radicular pain within the past 3 months
* Contraindications to physical therapy modalities or Tecar therapy
* Previous lumbar spine surgery or interventional spinal procedures within the last 6 months
* Pregnancy, malignancy, or systemic neurological or rheumatologic disease
* Advanced spinal or lower extremity deformities (e.g., scoliosis \>20°, grade 3-4 spondylolisthesis, vertebral fracture, advanced coxarthrosis)
* Inability to complete the intervention protocol or follow-up assessments

Where it's running

• İzmir City Hospital
  Izmir, İzmir, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
• İzmir Cİty Hospital
  Izmir, İzmir, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Ertan Yilmaz, MD — Izmir City Hospital
• Study coordinator: Ertan Yilmaz, MD
• Email: ertnyilmzz@gmail.com
• Phone: +905318431901

Similar studies

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

• Mulligan leg raise vs spinal mobilization with leg movement for lumbar radiculopathy

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• TECAR therapy added to physical therapy for chronic discogenic sciatica

  This study tests whether adding TECAR therapy to a standard physical therapy program helps reduce pain and improve function in adults with chronic discogenic sciatica.

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• Pharmacopuncture vs. physical therapy for chronic lumbar radiculopathy

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• Femoral Stretch Test in L2-L4 Lumbar Radiculopathy

  This study tests how well the femoral stretch test detects nerve root compression in people with L2-L4 radiculopathy who are having a targeted epidural injection as part of their care.

  Recruiting Marmara University · Istanbul, Pendik · NCT07799142

• Trans-spinal Electromagnetic Neuromodulation added to physical therapy for discogenic L5-S1 radiculopathy

  This study tests whether adding trans-spinal electromagnetic neuromodulation to standard physical therapy helps people with unilateral disc-related lower back nerve pain.

  Recruiting Cairo University · Giza · NCT07743424

• Effect of Mulligan Bent Leg Raise vs. Spinal Mobilization With Leg Movement for Lumbar Radiculopathy

  A small study tests two manual therapy techniques to see which better eases leg pain and improves function in adults with lumbar radiculopathy.

  Recruiting Riphah International University · Lahore, Punjab Province · NCT07726823

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.