Effect of Sensorimotor Training on Pain and Gait Performance in Patients With Discogenic Sciatica

NCT07805265 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: F.PT. 2607107
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the effect of sensorimotor training on gait performance in patients with discogenic sciatica.

Conditions

Sciatica Due to Intervertebral Disc Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Walking Speed

  Walking speed will be assessed using the FreeMed® baropodometric platform with FREESTEP software and reported in meters per second (m/s).

  2 months

• Stride Length

  Stride length will be assessed using the FreeMed® baropodometric platform with FREESTEP software and reported in millimeters (mm).

  2 months

• Cadence

  Cadence will be assessed using the FreeMed® baropodometric platform with FREESTEP software and reported as steps per minute (steps/min).

  2 months

• Stance Time

  Stance time will be assessed using the FreeMed® baropodometric platform with FREESTEP software and reported in seconds (s).

  2 months

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Pressure-Pain Threshold

  2 months

• Functional Disability

  2 months

Study Arms (2)

Standard physical therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will receive a standard physical therapy program consisting of interferential current therapy, hot packs, positioning according to directional preference, and static abdominal and back exercises. The treatment will be administered three sessions per week for two months, with each session lasting approximately 45-60 minutes.

Other: Standard physical therapy

Sensorimotor Training Plus Standard Physical Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive the same standard physical therapy program administered to the active comparator arm, in addition to a sensorimotor training program. The sensorimotor training will include PNF-based trunk exercises, balance training on unstable surfaces, colored-path sensorimotor exercises, and the Star Excursion Balance Exercise. The treatment will be administered three sessions per week for two months, with each session lasting approximately 45-60 minutes.

Other: Standard physical therapy; Other: Sensorimotor Training

Interventions

Sensorimotor Training OTHER

Sensorimotor training will include PNF-based trunk exercises, balance training on unstable surfaces, colored-path sensorimotor exercises, and the Star Excursion Balance Exercise. The program will incorporate progressive challenges to trunk control, balance, proprioception, and neuromuscular coordination. Progression will include unstable surfaces, alternating limb movements, single-leg and cross bridging, increased walking speed, dual-task activities, increased reach distance, and increased exercise complexity according to patient tolerance.

Sensorimotor Training Plus Standard Physical Therapy

Standard physical therapy OTHER

Standard physical therapy will include interferential current therapy applied over the lumbar region at 80-100 Hz for 15-20 minutes, hot packs applied over the lumbar paraspinal region for 10 minutes, positioning according to the patient's directional preference for 10 minutes or as tolerated, and static abdominal and back exercises targeting the transversus abdominis and multifidus. The exercises will be performed as 3 sets of 10 repetitions, with each contraction held for 10 seconds followed by 5 seconds of rest.

Sensorimotor Training Plus Standard Physical Therapy; Standard physical therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Thirty patients of both sexes diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation affecting the L4-L5 and/or L5-S1 nerve roots will be included in this study.
• Presence of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) will be confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Age will range from 30 to 55 years.
• Patients experiencing radiating pain along the sciatic nerve distribution (symptoms persisting for more than 3 months).
• All patients must be employed in office-based jobs.
• Berg Balance Scale score will range from 21 to 40 (moderate balance impairment).
• Body Mass Index (BMI) will be within the normal to overweight range (18.5 29.9 kg/m²).
• All the patients will be able to walk independently with or without minimal assistance.

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with a history of spinal surgery will be excluded.
• Presence of central neurological disorders (e.g., stroke).
• Patients with other causes of low back pain which is not related to discogenic origin.
• Affections of the musculoskeletal system including fractures.
• Patients with severe balance impairment (Berg Balance Scale score \< 21).
• Presence of vestibular disorders or visual impairments affecting balance.
• Patients are currently participating in other rehabilitation programs.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Outpatient clinic at the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Delta University

Gamasa, Egypt

Location

Study Officials

• Moshera Hassan Darwiesh, PhD

  Professor, Cairo University

  STUDY CHAIR

• Omar Mohamed Said, PhD

  Lecturer, Cairo University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Hend Mohammad Elsayed Ismail, PhD

  Lecturer, Delta University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Yara Ahmed Mansour, B.Sc

CONTACT

+20 10 08350127; yara.a.mansour@deltauniv.edu.eg

Hend Mohammad Elsayed Ismail, PhD

CONTACT

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 1, 2026
• First Posted: September 4, 2026
• Study Start: September 7, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 7, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 21, 2027
• Last Updated: September 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Locations

EG (1)