Thermal Therapies for Hamstring Injuries

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 randomized trial compares two thermal modalities—hot water immersion and cold water immersion—against physiotherapy alone in adults with acute hamstring injuries. Participants are stratified by injury grade and tendon involvement to balance groups and then receive the assigned thermal therapy during rehabilitation at Aspetar. Outcomes are tracked over follow-up visits to assess recovery progress and muscle function. The study aims to determine if thermal therapies can accelerate return to sport and improve regeneration markers compared with standard care. Eligibility includes acute posterior thigh pain with MRI-confirmed hamstring injury and ability to participate in regular physiotherapy.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Participant reported a sudden event
* Acute onset pain located on the posterior thigh and/or rectus femuris injury
* Clinical diagnosis of an acute muscle injury defined as:

Localized pain during palpation of the area, Increasing pain during isometric contraction, Localized pain during specific tests.

* MRI confirmed acute muscle lesion grade 1 - 2 - 3 (Pollock et al., 2014) of hamstring muscles o rectus femuris
* Available for physiotherapy treatment 4-5 days a week
* MRI of the injury performed in Aspetar within 7 days from the injury
* Available for follow-up
* Compliant with heat or cold-water immersion

Exclusion Criteria:

* Chronic condition, diabetes, or immune compromised state
* Neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or muscular pathology
* Pacemaker wearer
* Metallic prosthesis
* Skin infection
* Under medication: anti-inflammatory treatment, pain killer drugs, fluoroquinolone antibiotics
* Contraindication to MRI
* Previous verified or suspected lower limb muscle injury for the same leg and the same muscle within the last 6 months
* Chronic lower limb muscle problems on the same muscle
* Grade 0 and 4 muscle injury determined by MRI (Pollock et al., 2014)
* Do not have an intention to return to full sport activity
* Do not want to receive one of the therapies / Noncompliance with heat or cold therapies
* Contraindication to heat
* Do not want to comply with follow-up
* Pregnancy

Where it's running

• Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital
  Doha, Qatar Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Marco Cardinale, PhD
• Email: marco.cardinale@aspetar.com
• Phone: 974+44132284

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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.