High-Intensity Laser Therapy Versus Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Chronic Lumbar Disc Herniation-Related Low Back and Radicular Pain
Eligible age
18–65 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
0 states
Healthy volunteers
No
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About this study
This prospective, randomized, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy and fluoroscopy-guided transforaminal epidural steroid injection in patients with chronic low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy. Eligible patients will be randomized into two parallel groups. One group will receive high-intensity laser therapy, and the other group will receive transforaminal epidural steroid injection. All participants will also receive a standardized home-based exercise program. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome will be pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale. Secondary outcomes will include functional disability, neuropathic pain symptoms, quality of life, and functional walking capacity.
Sponsor: Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
You may qualify if…
- ✓ Age between 18 and 65 years
- ✓ Diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation confirmed by clinical examination and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging
- ✓ Chronic axial low back pain and radicular pain related to lumbar disc herniation
- ✓ Low back and/or radicular pain lasting longer than 3 months
- ✓ Resting low back and/or radicular pain intensity of ≥5 on a 0-10 visual analog scale
- ✓ Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
- ✕ Presence of a cardiac pacemaker
- ✕ History of epilepsy
- ✕ Active or previous malignancy
- ✕ History of spinal surgery
- ✕ Uncontrolled systemic or psychiatric disease
- ✕ Cauda equina syndrome or progressive neurological deficit
- ✕ Peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic or alcohol-related neuropathy
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT07688915 · last updated 2026-07-07