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NCT Number: NCT02091791

High Versus Low Level of Lumbar Traction in Acute Lumbar Sciatica Due to Disc Herniation

The aim of this study is to compare two levels (high and low forces) of short term lumbar traction on pain and functional tests of the lower limbs in a specific population of patients presenting with acute lumbar sciatica secondary to disc herniation. The investigators hypothesize that, in this particular medical condition, high level of lumbar traction might be more effective than low level lumbar traction in decreasing the pain associated with acute sciatica.

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Key information

Conditions

Acute Lumbar Sciatica Secondary to Disc Herniation Bone Diseases Hernia Intervertebral Disc Displacement Musculoskeletal Diseases Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Spinal Diseases

Age range

18 year–99 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Hôpitaux Universitaires

Strasbourg, 67098, France

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • less than 6-week lumbar sciatica secondary to disc herniation, confirmed by pain radiating down the leg along the distribution of the sciatic nerve together with positive straight leg raising test (SLRT)

Exclusion criteria

  • symptoms persisting for more than 6 weeks
  • signs of clinical neurological deficit
  • lumbar sciatica not caused by disc herniation
  • presence of lumbar tomodensitometry abnormalities
  • Subjects younger than 18
  • pregnant women
  • patients on medical leave for more than 3 weeks at inclusion
  • patients with history of lumbar surgery
  • patients who already had lumbar traction therapy

Treatment and study plan

Traction sessions

Procedure

Other names: Traction sessions using a spinal traction system

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in radicular pain graduated from 0 to 100 mm

    Time frame: Measurement of radicular pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS) At baseline (day 0 - D0) as well as at day 14 (D14) (end of treatment) and day 28 (D28) (after 2 weeks follow-up).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Global mobility of the lumbar-pelvic spine evaluated using the finger to toe test (FTT, in cm)

    Time frame: At baseline (day 0 - D0) as well as at day 14 (D14) (end of treatment) and day 28 (D28) (after 2 weeks follow-up).

  2. Lumbar spine mobility (in mm) assessed with the Schöber-Macrae's test

    Time frame: At baseline (day 0 - D0) as well as at day 14 (D14) (end of treatment) and day 28 (D28) (after 2 weeks follow-up).

  3. Signs of nerve root compression evaluation assessed by the SLRT and EIFEL score

    Time frame: At baseline (day 0 - D0) as well as at day 14 (D14) (end of treatment) and day 28 (D28) (after 2 weeks follow-up).

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Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Strasbourg, France

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2002
Primary completion
2006
Study completion
2006
First posted
Mar 19, 2014
Registry last updated
Dec 22, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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