Effects of Shockwave Therapy Versus Ultrasound Therapy Among Patients With Chronic Sciatica

NCT07710924 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UOL/IREB/25/09/0054
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 66
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Sciatica is characterized by radiating pain, functional limitations, reduced flexibility, disturbed sleep, and impaired quality of life. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) and Therapeutic Ultrasound are commonly used physiotherapy modalities for pain relief and tissue healing; however, evidence directly comparing their effectiveness remains limited. This randomized controlled trial compares the effects of Shockwave Therapy and Ultrasound Therapy, each combined with conventional physiotherapy, on pain intensity, hamstring range of motion, sleep quality, and quality of life in patients with chronic sciatica.

Conditions

Sciatica; Chronic Sciatica; Lumbar Radiculopathy

Keywords

Sciatica; Chronic Sciatica; Lumbar Radiculopathy; Shockwave Therapy; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Pain Intensity

  Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0-10). Higher scores indicate greater pain.

  Baseline, Week 4, Week 8

• Hamstring Range of Motion

  Hip flexion measured with a universal goniometer during the Straight Leg Raise test.

  Baseline, Week 4, Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Sleep Quality

  Baseline, Week 4, Week 8

Study Arms (2)

Shockwave Therapy + Conventional Physiotherapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy in addition to standardized conventional physiotherapy four times per week for eight weeks.

Device: Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy; Other: Conventional Physiotherapy

Ultrasound Therapy + Conventional Physiotherapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive therapeutic ultrasound in addition to standardized conventional physiotherapy four times per week for eight weeks.

Device: Therapeutic Ultrasound; Other: Conventional Physiotherapy

Interventions

Conventional Physiotherapy OTHER

Conventional physiotherapy will include moist heat therapy, myofascial release, stretching exercises, and strengthening exercises administered during every treatment session.

Shockwave Therapy + Conventional Physiotherapy; Ultrasound Therapy + Conventional Physiotherapy

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy DEVICE

Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy will be applied to the sciatic nerve origin and piriformis region using standardized treatment parameters for approximately 10 minutes during each treatment session.

Also known as: ESWT, Radial Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy + Conventional Physiotherapy

Therapeutic Ultrasound DEVICE

Therapeutic ultrasound will be applied to the gluteal and lumbar regions using standardized frequency and intensity parameters for approximately 10 minutes during each treatment session.

Also known as: Ultrasound Therapy, Ultrasound

Ultrasound Therapy + Conventional Physiotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 20-45 years.
• Clinically diagnosed chronic sciatica.
• Radiating pain below the knee.
• Positive Straight Leg Raise test (30°-70°).
• Pain intensity ≥4/10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale.
• Symptoms persisting for at least 3 months.
• Presence of tingling, numbness, lumbar radiculopathy, or piriformis syndrome.

You may not qualify if:

• Lumbar disc herniation.
• Progressive neurological disorders.
• Ankylosing spondylitis.
• Paget disease.
• Tuberculosis.
• Malignancy.
• Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory disorders.
• Previous spinal surgery or fracture.
• Fever, unexplained weight loss, or systemic illness.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lahore: lead

Study Sites (1)

ULTH

Lahore, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sciatica; Radiculopathy

Interventions

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy; Ultrasonic Therapy; Ultrasonography

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Diathermy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Diagnostic Imaging; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The outcome assessor will remain blinded to treatment allocation throughout the study. Due to the nature of the interventions, participants and treating physiotherapists cannot be blinded.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctor of Physical Therapy Student

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either Shockwave Therapy plus Conventional Physiotherapy or Ultrasound Therapy plus Conventional Physiotherapy. Both groups will receive the same conventional physiotherapy program, while the experimental intervention will differ according to treatment allocation. Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8 by a blinded assessor.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 14, 2026
• First Posted: July 17, 2026
• Study Start: June 30, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 10, 2026
• Study Completion: April 12, 2026
• Last Updated: July 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)