Manual Therapy Combined With Functional Magnetic Stimulation for Lumbar Radiculopathy (NCT07234071) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Manual Therapy Combined With Functional Magnetic Stimulation for Lumbar Radiculopathy
Greece40 participantsStarted 2025-11-05
Plain-language summary
This randomized clinical trial will evaluate whether adding Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) to manual therapy (neurodynamic mobilization) improves clinical outcomes in adults with lumbar radiculopathy caused by lumbar disc herniation. Forty participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group receiving manual therapy combined with FMS and a control group receiving manual therapy alone. All participants will complete a three-week physiotherapy program consisting of ten treatment sessions. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the three-week intervention period. Primary outcomes include pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS), functional disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, RMDQ), straight leg raise (SLR) range of motion measured with goniometry, and neuropathic symptom characteristics (S-LANSS, Greek). The study aims to determine whether the addition of FMS produces superior clinical improvements compared with manual therapy alone.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 64 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Participants will be eligible for enrollment if they meet all of the following conditions:
* Adults aged 18 to 64 years with a diagnosis of unilateral lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy (LDHR), established by a spine specialist and confirmed by lumbar MRI demonstrating disc pathology at L4/L5 or L5/S1 impinging on the corresponding nerve root.
* Presence of sciatica-dominant symptoms (radiating pain following the sciatic nerve distribution), accompanied by a positive Straight Leg Raise response consistent with nerve root irritation.
* Symptom duration of at least 12 weeks, indicating a chronic and stable clinical presentation without major fluctuations.
* Referral for physiotherapy management as part of conservative care.
* Ability to comprehend study procedures and provide written informed consent prior to participation.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Candidates will be excluded if any of the following conditions are present:
* Clinical "red flag" indicators such as cauda equina syndrome, suspected spinal infection, or oncologic disease.
* Bilateral radicular involvement or symptoms inconsistent with a single-level LDHR.
* Previous lumbar spine surgery or an upcoming surgical intervention scheduled during the study period.
* Receipt of invasive pain-management procedures (e.g., epidural steroid injections) within the last six weeks.
* Coexisting severe neurologic, metabolic, or inflammatory rheumatologic diseases unrelated to the lumbar radiculopathy.
* Contraindications to…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Changes in pain intensity with Numeric Rating Scale (NPRS)