Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07082660

Tecar Therapy in Lumbar Disc Herniation

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of Tecar therapy on pain intensity and functional status in patients with lumbar disc herniation. The intervention group received Tecar therapy combined with conventional physiotherapy, while the control group received only conventional physiotherapy. Outcome measures include pain intensity, lumbar mobility, and functional disability. The study aims to determine whether Tecar therapy provides additional benefits compared to standard care in the early rehabilitation of individuals with lumbar disc herniation.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Lumbal Disc Herniation Capacitive and Resistive Electric Transfer Therapy Exercise Training

Age range

20 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Atlas University

Istanbul, Kagıthane, 34403, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Background Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition that can significantly impair quality of life due to pain and functional limitations. Rehabilitation strategies often include lumbar stabilization exercises, and adjunct electrotherapies such as capacitive-resistive diathermy (TECAR) have gained interest for their potential therapeutic effects.

Purpose This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of adding high-frequency capacitive-resistive diathermic current (TECAR) therapy to lumbar stabilization exercises, compared to lumbar stabilization exercises alone, on pain intensity, functional status, and lumbar range of motion in individuals with chronic LDH.

Methods

Thirty participants with chronic LDH (duration >6 months) and no neurological deficits will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups:

TECAR + Exercise Group (TEG, n=15): Participants will receive 12 sessions of TECAR therapy (20 minutes, 3 sessions per week) in combination with lumbar stabilization exercises over 4 weeks.

Exercise Group (EG, n=15): Participants will receive only lumbar stabilization exercises with the same frequency and duration.

Outcome measures will include:

Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS)

Functional status (Oswestry Disability Index - ODI)

Lumbar range of motion (goniometry)

All evaluations will be performed pre- and post-intervention by a physiotherapist who is blinded to group allocation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • aged 20-60 years
  • diagnosed with low back pain
  • pain localized between L1 and L5
  • having low back pain lasting for more than 3 months [24].

Exclusion criteria

  • having sensory disturbances
  • muscle weakness, or reflex loss identified during motor, sensory, or reflex examinations
  • history of prior lumbal spine surgery or vertebral fractures
  • presence of electronic medical devices such as pacemakers or other implants contraindicated for electrical stimulation or high-frequency diathermy therapy
  • patients officially registered as disabled or receiving social benefits due to low back pain, severe osteoporosis, osteomalacia, malignancy, infectious diseases, or systemic musculoskeletal or rheumatological disorders,
  • pregnancy,
  • cardiovascular conditions preventing exercise, or viscerogenic causes of low back pain

Treatment and study plan

High-Frequency Capacitive-Resistive Diathermic Current Therapy (TECAR)

Device

20 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 4 weeks

Lumbal Stabilization Exercise Program

Behavioral

3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, each session includes core stabilization and lumbar control exercises (12 sessions total).

Primary outcomes

  1. Lumbar functionality

    Time frame: Baseline - 4 weeks

    The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), validated Turkish version, will be used to assess disability related to low back pain. The scale consists of 10 items, each scored from 0 to 5, with a total maximum score of 50. The total score is converted into a percentage using the formula: (total obtained score / maximum possible score) × 100. Scores range from 0% to 100%, where higher scores indicate greater disability. Interpretation categories are as follows: 0%-20% indicates minimal disability; 21%-40% indicates moderate disability; 41%-60% indicates severe disability; 61%-80% indicates crippled; and 81%-100% indicates bed-bound status or possible symptom exaggeration.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain intensity

    Time frame: Baseline - 4 weeks

    The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used to assess pain intensity. It consists of a 10-centimeter horizontal line representing a continuum from 'no pain' (0) to 'worst imaginable pain' (10). Participants are asked to mark a point on the line that corresponds to the intensity of their pain. The distance in centimeters from the 'no pain' anchor to the participant's mark is measured and recorded as the VAS score. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater pain severity.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Şebnem Nur Alkan

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized Controlled Trial On Lumbal Disc Herniation Using Tecar Therapy: Effects On Pain And Functionality

Acronym: LDH-TECAR

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Jul 24, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 24, 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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.