Chronic Sciatica, Lumbar Radiculopathy, Sciatica
Conditions
Keywords
Sciatica, Chronic Sciatica, Lumbar Radiculopathy, Shockwave Therapy, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Brief summary
Sciatica is characterized by radiating pain, functional limitations, reduced flexibility, disturbed sleep, and impaired quality of life. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) and Therapeutic Ultrasound are commonly used physiotherapy modalities for pain relief and tissue healing; however, evidence directly comparing their effectiveness remains limited. This randomized controlled trial compares the effects of Shockwave Therapy and Ultrasound Therapy, each combined with conventional physiotherapy, on pain intensity, hamstring range of motion, sleep quality, and quality of life in patients with chronic sciatica.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial compares two physiotherapy interventions for chronic sciatica. Sixty-six participants will be randomly allocated to either Shockwave Therapy plus Conventional Physiotherapy or Ultrasound Therapy plus Conventional Physiotherapy. Both groups will receive identical conventional physiotherapy consisting of heat therapy, myofascial release, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Treatment will be administered four sessions per week for eight weeks. Outcomes including pain intensity, hamstring range of motion, sleep quality, and quality of life will be measured at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8 by a blinded outcome assessor.
Interventions
DEVICEExtracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy will be applied to the sciatic nerve origin and piriformis region using standardized treatment parameters for approximately 10 minutes during each treatment session.
DEVICETherapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound will be applied to the gluteal and lumbar regions using standardized frequency and intensity parameters for approximately 10 minutes during each treatment session.
OTHERConventional Physiotherapy
Conventional physiotherapy will include moist heat therapy, myofascial release, stretching exercises, and strengthening exercises administered during every treatment session.
Sponsors
University of Lahore
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
The outcome assessor will remain blinded to treatment allocation throughout the study. Due to the nature of the interventions, participants and treating physiotherapists cannot be blinded.
Intervention model description
Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either Shockwave Therapy plus Conventional Physiotherapy or Ultrasound Therapy plus Conventional Physiotherapy. Both groups will receive the same conventional physiotherapy program, while the experimental intervention will differ according to treatment allocation. Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8 by a blinded assessor.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 20-45 years. * Clinically diagnosed chronic sciatica. * Radiating pain below the knee. * Positive Straight Leg Raise test (30°-70°). * Pain intensity ≥4/10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. * Symptoms persisting for at least 3 months. * Presence of tingling, numbness, lumbar radiculopathy, or piriformis syndrome.
Exclusion criteria
* Lumbar disc herniation. * Progressive neurological disorders. * Ankylosing spondylitis. * Paget disease. * Tuberculosis. * Malignancy. * Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory disorders. * Previous spinal surgery or fracture. * Fever, unexplained weight loss, or systemic illness.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8 | Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0-10). Higher scores indicate greater pain. |
| Hamstring Range of Motion | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8 | Hip flexion measured with a universal goniometer during the Straight Leg Raise test. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep Quality | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8 | Sleep Quality Scale. Higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality. |
Countries
Pakistan
Outcome results
None listed