Tecar Therapy in Patients With Lumbar Radiculopathy (NCT07480252) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Tecar Therapy in Patients With Lumbar Radiculopathy
Turkey (Türkiye)90 participantsStarted 2026-04-15
Plain-language summary
Lumbar radiculopathy is a common cause of low back and leg pain, most frequently resulting from lumbar disc herniation and nerve root irritation. Conservative management, including physical therapy modalities and exercise therapy, is generally recommended as first-line treatment for patients without progressive neurological deficits. Tecar therapy (Transfer of Energy Capacitive and Resistive) is a non-invasive electrotherapeutic modality that delivers high-frequency electromagnetic energy to deep tissues and has been proposed to reduce pain, enhance microcirculation, and promote tissue recovery. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness in lumbar radiculopathy remains limited.
The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy of Tecar therapy in patients with lumbar radiculopathy and to compare its clinical effects with conventional physical therapy and sham Tecar treatment.
A total of 90 participants with unilateral L5 and/or S1 radiculopathy will be randomized into three groups: (1) conventional physical therapy, (2) Tecar therapy combined with standard physical therapy, and (3) sham Tecar therapy combined with standard physical therapy. All participants will receive standardized postural education and a home exercise program.
The primary outcome will be pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes will include functional disability (Oswestry Disability Index), neuropathic pain characteristics (PainDETECT questionnaire), lumbar mobility (Modified-Modified Schober Test), nerve root irritability (Straight Leg Raise test), rescue analgesic consumption, and exercise adherence. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment (week 2), and follow-up visits at weeks 6 and 12.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 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.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 18-65 years
* Clinical diagnosis of unilateral L5 and/or S1 lumbar radiculopathy
* Symptom duration between 6 weeks and 6 months
* Average radicular pain intensity ≥3 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during the previous month
* Availability of lumbar MRI and/or EMG performed within the previous 6 months
* Willingness to participate and ability to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Bilateral lumbar radiculopathy
* Lumbar spinal canal stenosis confirmed by imaging or suspected clinically (e.g., neurogenic claudication)
* Lower limb muscle strength \<4/5 according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale
* Use of analgesic medications other than paracetamol during the study period
* Physical therapy treatment for low back or radicular pain within the past 3 months
* Contraindications to physical therapy modalities or Tecar therapy
* Previous lumbar spine surgery or interventional spinal procedures within the last 6 months
* Pregnancy, malignancy, or systemic neurological or rheumatologic disease
* Advanced spinal or lower extremity deformities (e.g., scoliosis \>20°, grade 3-4 spondylolisthesis, vertebral fracture, advanced coxarthrosis)
* Inability to complete the intervention protocol or follow-up assessments
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
Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS)
Timeframe: Baseline, Week 2 (post-treatment), Week 6, and Week 12