ESWT vs Conventional Physical Therapy in Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), TENS; Hot Pack; Ultrasound.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome. Basic parameters: 18 years — 65 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy and Conventional Physical Therapy in Patients With Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
Overview
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) with conventional physical therapy in patients with Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS). GTPS is a common cause of lateral hip pain, often related to gluteal tendinopathy rather than trochanteric bursitis. Sixty patients will be randomly assigned to two groups: ESWT or conventional physical therapy (TENS, hot pack, ultrasound). Pain (VAS), hip function (Harris Hip Score), lower limb function (LEFS), and global improvement will be evaluated at baseline, week 3, and week 12. The purpose of this study is to determine which treatment provides greater pain relief and functional improvement.
Detailed description
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) is a frequent cause of lateral hip pain and is now understood to be primarily associated with gluteus medius and minimus tendinopathy rather than inflammation of the trochanteric bursa. Although several conservative treatments are available, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy modalities, there is no consensus on the most effective treatment strategy. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) has emerged as a potential non-invasive treatment option that may promote tissue regeneration, reduce pain, and improve tendon healing.
This prospective randomized controlled trial will include 60 patients aged 18-65 years with MRI-confirmed GTPS. Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either the ESWT group or the conventional physical therapy group. The ESWT group will receive five sessions over 3 weeks (15 Hz, 3 bar, 2000 pulses). The physical therapy group will receive 10 sessions of TENS (20 minutes), hot pack (20 minutes), and continuous ultrasound (1.5 W/cm², 5 minutes). Both groups will be given a standardized exercise program.
Outcome measures include the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain (night, rest, activity), Harris Hip Score, Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and the Global Rating of Change Scale. Assessments will be performed at baseline, week 3, and week 12. The primary objective is to compare the effect of ESWT versus conventional physical therapy on pain reduction. Secondary objectives include evaluating functional improvements and global patient satisfaction.
Interventions
- Device Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
ESWT applied with Elmed Vibrolith Ortho device at 15 Hz, 3 bar, 2000 pulses, 5 sessions over 3 weeks. - Other TENS; Hot Pack; Ultrasound
10 sessions of TENS (20 min), hot pack (20 min), and continuous ultrasound (1.5 W/cm², 5 min).
Primary outcome measures
- Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain Score [Time frame: Baseline, Week 3, and Week 12]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Harris Hip Score [Time frame: Baseline, Week 3, and Week 12]
- Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) [Time frame: Baseline, Week 3, and Week 12]
- Global Rating of Change (GROC) [Time frame: Week 3 and Week 12]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Lateral hip pain for at least 3 months
- Ability to understand study procedures and provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Hip deformities
- Gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, or piriformis tendon tears
- Lumbar radiculopathy or history of lumbar spine surgery
- Recent trauma or active infection in the hip region
- Corticosteroid injection to the hip within the last 6 months
- Neurological, psychiatric, or rheumatologic diseases
- Active malignancy or systemic inflammatory disease
- Cognitive impairment preventing cooperation
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital — Istanbul
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07243327 · BTAS-ESWT-2025-01