Comparison of the Effectiveness of Various Deep Heating Modalities in the Management of Chronic Low Back Pain

Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital Organization

Status: Completed

Conditions: Low Back Pain

Treatments: Behavioral: Lumbar Stabilization and Flexibility Exercise; Device: Therapeutic Ultrasound; Device: Microwave Diathermy; Device: Shortwave Diathermy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07136480

Low Back Pain

Details and patient eligibility

About

This quasi-experimental, non-randomized, parallel-group clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of various deep heating modalities-microwave diathermy, shortwave diathermy, and therapeutic ultrasound-when combined with a standard lumbar exercise program in patients with chronic low back pain. The study will evaluate their effects on pain, functional disability, kinesiophobia, and quality of life. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the 3-week treatment period.

Full description

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions, often leading to long-term disability, reduced quality of life, and significant socioeconomic burden. Deep heating modalities, such as microwave diathermy, shortwave diathermy, and therapeutic ultrasound, are widely used in physiotherapy practice to reduce pain, improve tissue extensibility, and enhance function. However, direct comparisons of these modalities in CLBP are limited.

This quasi-experimental, non-randomized, parallel-group study will allocate participants to one of four groups:

Microwave diathermy + standard lumbar exercise program

Shortwave diathermy + standard lumbar exercise program

Therapeutic ultrasound + standard lumbar exercise program

Standard lumbar exercise program only (control)

The allocation will be performed in a non-systematic manner without a formal randomization sequence. All participants will receive a standardized home-based lumbar stabilization exercise program, while the intervention groups will also receive their respective deep heating modality in 15 treatment sessions (5/week for 3 weeks).

Primary outcomes will include pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale) and functional disability (Oswestry Disability Index). Secondary outcomes will include kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia) and quality of life (SF-12 PCS and MCS). Assessments will be conducted at baseline and week 3 (post-treatment).

Enrollment: 93 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-65 years

Diagnosis of non-specific CLBP >12 weeks

Able to participate in exercise program

Voluntary informed consent provided

Exclusion criteria

Specific spinal pathology (tumor, fracture, infection, inflammatory disease)

Lumbar surgery within last 12 months

Pregnancy

Pacemaker or implanted metallic/electronic devices

Neurological deficits

Skin lesions or contraindications to deep heating modalities

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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93 participants in 4 patient groups

Microwave diathermy + standard lumbar exercise program

Experimental group

Description:

Continuous mode microwave diathermy (2,450 MHz) will be applied to the lumbar region using a standard physiotherapy unit.

Treatment:

Device: Microwave Diathermy

Behavioral: Lumbar Stabilization and Flexibility Exercise

Shortwave diathermy + standard lumbar exercise program

Experimental group

Treatment:

Device: Shortwave Diathermy

Behavioral: Lumbar Stabilization and Flexibility Exercise

Therapeutic ultrasound + standard lumbar exercise program

Experimental group

Treatment:

Device: Therapeutic Ultrasound

Behavioral: Lumbar Stabilization and Flexibility Exercise

Standard lumbar exercise program only (control)

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Behavioral: Lumbar Stabilization and Flexibility Exercise