Comparison Of Early Mobilization And Electrical Stimulation On Functional Recovery After Lumbar D… (NCT07575477) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Comparison Of Early Mobilization And Electrical Stimulation On Functional Recovery After Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery
60 participantsStarted 2026-06-30
Plain-language summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of early mobilization alone versus early mobilization combined with electrical stimulation on functional recovery following lumbar disc herniation surgery. Lumbar disc herniation is a common cause of low back pain and functional limitation, significantly affecting quality of life.
Although surgical intervention is effective in patients who do not respond to conservative treatment, optimal postoperative recovery largely depends on appropriate rehabilitation strategies. Early mobilization is widely recommended to prevent complications, preserve muscle function, and facilitate return to daily activities. In addition, electrical stimulation modalities such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) have been increasingly integrated into rehabilitation programs to enhance pain control, muscle activation, and neuromuscular re-education.
In this study, a total of 60 participants who have undergone primary lumbar disc herniation surgery will be randomly assigned into two groups. The first group will receive an early mobilization program alone, while the second group will receive early mobilization combined with electrical stimulation (NMES/TENS). The intervention period will last 6 to 8 weeks, with sessions conducted three times per week.
Primary outcomes include functional disability measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes include functional mobility assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, walking speed assessed by the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and muscle strength evaluated using manual muscle testing (MMT).
The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of evidence-based postoperative rehabilitation protocols and to clarify the clinical effectiveness of electrical stimulation in patients undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery
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:
* Age between 18 and 65 years
* Patients who have undergone primary lumbar disc herniation surgery
* Being in the early postoperative period (within the first 2 weeks after surgery)
* Clinically stable condition
* Ability to understand and follow instructions
* Willingness to participate in the study and provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of previous spinal surgery
* Presence of severe neurological deficits (e.g., progressive motor loss, cauda equina syndrome)
* Contraindications to electrical stimulation (e.g., pacemaker, implanted electronic devices)
* Presence of severe systemic or uncontrolled chronic diseases (e.g., severe cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic disorders)
* Cognitive impairment or inability to cooperate with rehabilitation program Pregnancy
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.
1This trial compares early mobilization versus electrical stimulation after lumbar disc herniation surgery — based on my specific surgery and recovery situation, which of those two approaches does my doctor think is more likely to suit me?
2Since this trial isn't recruiting yet, how long might I realistically have to wait before I could even consider enrolling, and would delaying my post-surgical rehab to wait for it put my recovery at risk?
3The trial measures recovery using the Oswestry Disability Index and a pain scale — can my doctor explain what a meaningful improvement on those measures would look like for someone with my level of disability and pain?
4Are either early mobilization or electrical stimulation already available to me as part of standard post-surgical care right now, outside of this trial, so I don't have to wait for the study to begin?
5Since this trial is listed as 'not yet recruiting' and is phase NA — meaning it's comparing existing approaches rather than testing a new drug — what does my doctor think is currently the best-supported rehab strategy for lumbar disc herniation surgery based on existing evidence?
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
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
Timeframe: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 8 weeks post-intervention
2
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain
Timeframe: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 8 weeks post-intervention