Tecar Therapy in Lumbar Disc Herniation

NCT07082660 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ETTBI-LDH-2023-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Lumbal Disc Herniation; Capacitive and Resistive Electric Transfer Therapy; Exercise Training

Keywords

Lumbal disk herniation; Capasitive and resistive electric transfer therapy; exercise training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Lumbar functionality

  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.

  Baseline - 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Pain intensity

  Baseline - 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

TECAR Therapy Combined with Lumbal Stabilization Exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive high-frequency capacitive-resistive diathermic current (TECAR) therapy (20 minutes per session, 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks) in addition to a lumbal stabilization exercise program (12 sessions total).

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

Lumbal Stabilization Exercises Only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive only the lumbal stabilization exercise program, 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total), with no TECAR therapy applied.

Behavioral: Lumbal Stabilization Exercise Program

Interventions

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

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

TECAR Therapy Combined with Lumbal Stabilization Exercises

Lumbal Stabilization Exercise Program BEHAVIORAL

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

Lumbal Stabilization Exercises Only

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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 \[24\].

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Şebnem Nur Alkan: lead

Study Sites (1)

Atlas University

Istanbul, Kagıthane, 34403, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Participants were masked to their group assignments throughout the intervention period. Both groups received treatment in a similar clinical environment, and the application of TECAR therapy was performed using identical procedures and equipment setup to prevent participants from discerning their allocation. The physiotherapist administering the intervention was aware of group assignments, but outcome assessments were standardized to minimize bias.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Physiotherapy, Atlas University

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to two parallel groups receiving either TECAR + lumbar stabilization or lumbar stabilization only.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 15, 2025
• First Posted: July 24, 2025
• Study Start: January 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: March 30, 2023
• Study Completion: May 20, 2023
• Last Updated: July 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: The IPD and supporting documents will be available beginning 6 months after publication of the primary results and will be accessible for a period of 3 years.

Locations

TU (1)