Needle zap for sciatica: new study tests quick fix for leg pain
NCT ID NCT07377357
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a single 30-minute session of electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) can quickly reduce sciatica pain and improve daily function. 88 adults with long-term sciatica will be randomly assigned to receive PENS, TENS (skin patches), dry needling, or a placebo. Researchers will measure pain, disability, and quality of life right after treatment and one week later to see if PENS offers better relief than the other options.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 88 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2026
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Neuropathic-like LBRLP (sciatica). * S-LANSS score ≥ 12 points. * LBRLP lasting more than 6 months. * Age between 18 and 70 years. * LBRLP in the past 4 weeks has been severe enough to limit usual activities or change daily routines for more than 1 day. * At least one period of 6 months to 1 year during which the participant did not go a full month without LBRLP. * LBRLP intensity of at least 3/10 on the NPRS. * Ability to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Acute injury or recent major trauma history. * Relevant painful conditions of the hip joint or pelvic/sacroiliac region. * Symptoms compatible with cauda equina syndrome (loss of bladder/bowel control, sexual dysfunction, paralysis of lower limbs, etc.). * Previous surgery on the spine, pelvis or hip. * Prior treatment with anesthetic or anti-inflammatory blocks or with radiofrequency (facet, sacroiliac, radicular, epidural, etc.) in the past two years. * Any neurological or systemic disease that could limit participation in the study. * Inability to communicate in Spanish or understand study instructions and content. * General contraindications for invasive physiotherapy and electrotherapy techniques.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre
RECRUITINGMadrid, Madrid, 28041, Spain
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