Chronic Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Randomized Single-Blind Study on the Comparative Efficacy of Peloid Therapy Versus Hot Pack Therapy

Chronic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common spinal disorder that causes pain, functional limitations, and reduced quality of life. Non-invasive physical therapy modalities such as thermotherapy and electrotherapy are frequently used in conservative management. Peloid therapy, a form of thermal mud treatment, has been proposed to exert anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and muscle-relaxing effects. However, limited controlled studies have compared its clinical effectiveness with more commonly used superficial heat modalities like hot packs.

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate and compare the effects of peloid therapy and hot pack therapy in adults diagnosed with chronic LDH. A total of 60 participants were randomly allocated into two treatment arms. The peloid group received a localized application of therapeutic mud (peloid) at 45°C for 30 minutes per session, five days per week for three weeks (total 15 sessions). The control group received conventional hot pack therapy for 20 minutes under the same session frequency and duration. Both groups additionally received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to the lumbar region following each thermotherapy session.

Outcome measures were recorded before and after the intervention period and included pain intensity (VAS), functional ability (BPFS), disability index (ODI), quality of life (SF-36), lumbar range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation), and finger-to-floor distance (FFD). Statistical analysis was performed to assess within-group and between-group changes.

This study provides comparative data on the efficacy of peloid therapy and conventional hot pack application in a homogeneous patient population with chronic LDH and may inform future guidelines on the selection of conservative treatment modalities in physical therapy practice.