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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
66
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.
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.
Conventional physiotherapy will include moist heat therapy, myofascial release, stretching exercises, and strengthening exercises administered during every treatment session.
ULTH
Lahore, Pakistan
Pain Intensity
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0-10). Higher scores indicate greater pain.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 8
Hamstring Range of Motion
Hip flexion measured with a universal goniometer during the Straight Leg Raise test.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 8
Sleep Quality
Sleep Quality Scale. Higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, Week 8
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