Comparison of Laser and Shockwave Therapy for Piriformis Syndrome With Adjunctive Exercise

NCT07567703 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FPTBSUREC/0212/15426
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy combined with exercise versus radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy combined with exercise in patients with piriformis syndrome. The interventions were applied over four weeks, and outcomes included pain intensity, functional disability, range of motion, and quality of life.

Conditions

Piriformis Syndrome

Keywords

Piriformis Syndrome/ Low-Level Laser Therapy /Shockwave Therapy /Therapeutic Exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• 1. Pain Intensity

  1\. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).

  1. Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 3-month follow-up

• 2. Hip Range of Motion

  Hip joint range of motion will be measured in degrees using a standard universal goniometer.

  Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 3-month follow-up

• 3. Quality of Life

  Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire.

  Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 3-month follow-up

• Functional Disability

  Functional disability will be evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), which measures disability related to low back and gluteal pain.

  Baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks), and 3-month follow-up

Study Arms (2)

Laser + Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive low-level laser therapy combined with therapeutic exercise for management of piriformis syndrome.

Device: Low-Level Laser Therapy + Therapeutic Exercise

Shockwave + Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy combined with therapeutic exercise.

Device: Radial Shockwave Therapy + Therapeutic Exercise

Interventions

Low-Level Laser Therapy + Therapeutic Exercise DEVICE

Participants receive low-level laser therapy combined with a structured therapeutic exercise program for management of piriformis syndrome.

Laser + Exercise

Radial Shockwave Therapy + Therapeutic Exercise DEVICE

Participants receive radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy combined with a structured therapeutic exercise program for management of piriformis syndrome.

Shockwave + Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 to 65 years who had a confirmed diagnosis of piriformis syndrome. piriformis syndrome required a positive FAIR test and EMG evidence of sciatic nerve involvement. Eligible participants had chronic symptoms lasting at least three months and a baseline Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score of ≥4.

You may not qualify if:

• Participants were excluded if they had a history of surgical interventions involving the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint, or hip; systemic inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis; neurological disorders impairing lower limb function; or were pregnant or lactating. Individuals with malignancy, bleeding disorders, or pacemaker implantation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beni-Suef University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Outpatient clinics of the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni Suef University

Cairo, Egypt

Location

Related Publications (1)

• MF DEO, Johnson DS, Demchak T, Tomazoni SS, Leal-Junior EC. Low-intensity LASER and LED (photobiomodulation therapy) for pain control of the most common musculoskeletal conditions. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2022;58(2):282-9.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Piriformis Muscle Syndrome

Interventions

Low-Level Light Therapy; Exercise Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sciatic Neuropathy; Mononeuropathies; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Nerve Compression Syndromes; Neuralgia; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pelvic Pain

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Laser Therapy; Therapeutics; Phototherapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• Sahar M Abdelmutilibe, PHD

  Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni Suef University, Cairo, Egypt

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Blinding of participants was not feasible due to the nature of physical therapy modalities.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: This study is randomized controlled design in which participants were allocated into two independent groups. One group received low-level laser therapy combined with therapeutic exercise, while the other group received radial shockwave therapy combined with the same exercise protocol. Outcomes were compared between the two groups at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2026
• First Posted: May 5, 2026
• Study Start: October 4, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 15, 2026
• Study Completion: April 20, 2026
• Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)