Sound waves vs medicated gel: which eases back pain better?
NCT ID NCT06959394
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed study tested two common physical therapy treatments—therapeutic ultrasound and phonophoresis (ultrasound with a pain-relief gel)—against a placebo in 60 adults with chronic low back pain. All groups also received standard treatments like TENS and exercises. The goal was to see which approach better reduced pain and improved movement and daily function. Results may help guide future treatment choices.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- therapeutic ultrasound and phonophoresis (diclofenac gel)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that ultrasound or phonophoresis is a helpful, drug-free way to ease chronic low back pain and improve daily function.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 60 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and the placebo group also received other treatments, making it hard to know what really helped.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
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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60 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2025
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- 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 60 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Individuals with low back pain for more than 3 months and pain intensity more than 5 according to VAS will be included in the study Exclusion Criteria: patients who have undergone surgical operations
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
KTO Karatay University
Konya, Konya, 42100, Turkey (Türkiye)
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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