HILT 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: High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT), Sham Laser.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome. Basic parameters: 18 years — 80 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 →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Efficacy of High-Intensity Laser Therapy in Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) is a common cause of lateral hip pain that can significantly impair daily activities and quality of life. Conservative treatments, including physical therapy modalities and injections, are considered first-line management. High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) is a non-invasive modality with greater tissue penetration compared to low-level laser therapy and has shown promising results in musculoskeletal disorders; however, evidence in GTPS is limited. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of HILT compared with a sham intervention in patients with GTPS, focusing on pain intensity, functional status, and quality of life.
Interventions
- Device High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)
High-intensity laser therapy will be applied to the trochanteric region using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser device over 10 sessions (5 sessions per week for 2 consecutive weeks). Treatments will be delivered by an experienced physiotherapist using a standardized protocol and consistent application technique. Total energy per session will be standardized. Participants will also perform a structured home exercise program focusing on hip muscle activation and flexibility. - Device Sham Laser
A sham laser intervention will be applied using the same device and treatment setup without delivering therapeutic laser energy. The number and frequency of sessions will be identical to the active treatment group to ensure blinding. Participants will also perform the same structured home exercise program as the intervention group.
Primary outcome measures
- Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS) [Time frame: Baseline (T0), 2 weeks (end of the treatment period; T1), and 8 weeks after treatment completion (T2).]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- Pressure Pain Threshold (Algometry) [Time frame: Baseline (T0), 2 weeks (end of the treatment period; T1), and 8 weeks after treatment completion (T2).]
- Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) [Time frame: Baseline (T0), 2 weeks (end of the treatment period; T1), and 8 weeks after treatment completion (T2).]
- Roles and Maudsley Score (RMS) [Time frame: 2 weeks (end of the treatment period; T1), and 8 weeks after treatment completion (T2).]
- Single-Leg Stance Test [Time frame: Baseline (T0), 2 weeks (end of the treatment period; T1), and 8 weeks after treatment completion (T2).]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Adults aged 18 to 80 years
- Patients diagnosed with Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) based on clinical examination
- Presence of symptoms for at least 3 months
- Pain intensity ≥4 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
- No corticosteroid injection or other conservative treatment within the last 3 months
Exclusion criteria
- Hip fracture, tumor, infection, or advanced osteoarthritis
- Contraindications to high-intensity laser therapy (e.g., pacemaker, pregnancy, coagulation disorders, anticoagulant therapy, neoplasia, history of epilepsy)
- Contraindications to physical activity (e.g., ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension, heart failure, severe respiratory insufficiency)
- Peripheral vascular disorders (e.g., thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, lymphedema)
- History of trauma within the last 3 months or prior surgery involving the lower extremity or lumbar spine
- Neurological disorders or chronic inflammatory diseases
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
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Etlik City Hospital — Ankara
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07749066 · AESH-EK-2026-064