An interventional study of High-Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) and Ultrasound, Interferential Current, and Hot Packs in Radiculopathy, sponsored by Cairo University. Recruiting at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 40 Years to 60 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-07.
Sponsored by Cairo University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of high-power laser therapy (HPLT) in patients with cervical radiculopathy, focusing on its impact on disc morphology, and overall functional activity
cervical radiculopathy is one of the most common and debilitating conditions. It occurs due to the compression or irritation of nerve roots, often caused by intervertebral disc herniation or degenerative disc disease. Patients with this condition typically experience neck pain radiating to the arms, accompanied by sensory disturbances, weakness, or diminished reflexes, which significantly impair functional ability and quality of life (Smith et al., 2020; Jones \& Miller, 2019).
Conventional treatment approaches for cervical radiculopathy include conservative methods such as physiotherapy, pharmacological interventions, and in severe cases, surgical decompression. While these options may provide symptomatic relief, they often fail to address underlying structural and physiological changes, such as disc degeneration or nerve dysfunction. Additionally, surgical interventions carry inherent risks, including infection and nerve damage, and are not suitable for all patients. This has driven the search for alternative, non-invasive treatment modalities that can address both symptoms and the root causes of the condition.High-power laser therapy (HPLT) has emerged as a promising solution in this context. HPLT uses focused laser light to deliver high energy to tissues, stimulating cellular repair processes, reducing inflammation, and promoting analgesia through photo biomodulation. Unlike low-level laser therapy, HPLT delivers higher energy levels, allowing deeper tissue penetration and potentially greater therapeutic effects (Clark et al., 2021). These mechanisms make HPLT particularly suited for treating conditions like cervical radiculopathy, where inflammation, nerve irritation, and tissue degeneration coexist.
Despite its growing popularity, the evidence supporting the efficacy of HPLT in cervical radiculopathy is still limited. Current research mainly highlights its potential for pain reduction, but there is a lack of rigorous, controlled trials evaluating its impact on disc morphology and overall functional recovery. For instance, a recent study by Williams et al. (2022) demonstrated significant pain relief in patients treated with HPLT, yet did not assess structural or electrophysiological outcomes. This highlights the need for further investigation to establish HPLT as a comprehensive treatment modality.
This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by systematically evaluating the effects of high-power laser therapy on key outcomes, including disc morphology, and functional activity in patients with cervical radiculopathy. By addressing these dimensions, the research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of HPLT's role in managing cervical radiculopathy. It also aims to contribute to the development of evidence-based guidelines for its clinical application, offering a safer and more effective alternative to traditional interventions.
483 studies on the registry are indexed under Radiculopathy; 145 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 60 is close to the median of 60 across 373 interventional studies indexed under Radiculopathy.
Browse Radiculopathy studies →Cairo University is the lead sponsor of 4,941 studies on the registry; 1,458 are open to participants now.
Of its 37 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 5 (14%) have results posted.
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- Adults aged between 40 to 60 years.
Exclusion Criteria:
Individuals with severe cervical stenosis or spinal cord compression.
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
This group will consist of 30 patients, who will receive high-power laser therapy (HPLT) for 8 weeks. High-Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) Description: High-Power Laser Therapy (HPLT): parameters Wavelength: 1064 nm Power output: 8-10 W Frequency: Pulsed wave (CW) Treatment Duration: 10-20 minutes per session Treatment Frequency: 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks (total of 24 sessions). Application: The laser is applied to the area of pain and nerve root compression, focusing on disc hydration, pain relief, and reduction of inflammation.
Device: High-Power Laser Therapy (HPLT)
Control Group: This group will consist of 30 patients, who will receive Ultrasound, Interferential Current, and Hot Packs for eight weeks. * Ultrasound therapy: Frequency: 1 MHz (deep tissue penetration) Intensity: 1.5-2 W/cm² Duration: 8-10 minutes per session Application: Applied to the affected cervical region to enhance tissue healing and reduce pain and inflammation. - Interferential current therapy: Frequency: 4,000 Hz (with a beat frequency of 80-150 Hz) Intensity: Adjusted to produce a comfortable muscle contraction without causing pain Duration: 10-15 minutes per session Application: Applied to the cervical region to reduce pain and improve circulation. - Hot Packs: Temperature: 40°C - 45°C Duration: 15-20 minutes per session Application: Applied to the cervical region to promote muscle relaxation and alleviate discomfort.
Device: Ultrasound, Interferential Current, and Hot Packs
High-Power Laser Therapy (HPLT): parameters Wavelength: 1064 nm Power output: 8-10 W Frequency: Pulsed wave (CW) Treatment Duration: 10-20 minutes per session Treatment Frequency: 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks (total of 24 sessions). Application: The laser is applied to the area of pain and nerve root compression, focusing on disc hydration, pain relief, and reduction of inflammation.
\- Ultrasound therapy: Frequency: 1 MHz (deep tissue penetration) Intensity: 1.5-2 W/cm² Duration: 8-10 minutes per session Application: Applied to the affected cervical region to enhance tissue healing and reduce pain and inflammation. \- Interferential current therapy: Frequency: 4,000 Hz (with a beat frequency of 80-150 Hz) Intensity: Adjusted to produce a comfortable muscle contraction without causing pain Duration: 10-15 minutes per session Application: Applied to the cervical region to reduce pain and improve circulation. \- Hot Packs: Temperature: 40°C - 45°C Duration: 15-20 minutes per session Application: Applied to the cervical region to promote muscle relaxation and alleviate discomfort.
Disc height
Disc height: Measured using sagittal images, comparing the anterior and posterior heights of the cervical disc, height in meters.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Disc hydration
Disc hydration: Assessing changes in the signal intensity of the intervertebral disc, which indicates water content. This is typically measured on T2-weighted MRI sequences.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Disc protrusion
\- Disc protrusion: Examined using both sagittal and axial views to detect any changes in the disc's morphology, including the presence of herniation or bulging
Time frame: 8 weeks
Functional outcome
Neck Disability Index (NDI) is used to assess disability related to neck pain and functional activity at baseline, and post-treatment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
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