Condition

Physical Therapy clinical trials and research

• 15Clinical trials
• 23NIH research projects
• 9Countries

Newest Physical Therapy clinical trials

All recruiting trials (15)

• Pain Neuroscience Education Added to Pre-Op Physical Therapy for Lumbar Surgery

  A randomized trial tests whether adding Pain Neuroscience Education to standard pre-operative physical therapy helps reduce pain and disability after lumbar laminectomy for people aged 35-60.

  Recruiting Foundation University Islamabad · Islamabad · NCT07801586

• Immersive Virtual Reality and Exercise Programs for Multiple Sclerosis

  Aims to see if a VR-based exercise program helps adults with MS improve mobility and fitness.

  Recruiting University of Vigo · Pontevedra · NCT07738120

• Effects of dry needling and electrical dry needling on latent trigger points in the forearm extensor

  This study tests different dry needling and electrical dry needling methods to see which best reduces post-needling soreness for healthy adults with latent trigger points in the dominant forearm extensor digitorum.

  Recruiting University Rovira i Virgili · Reus, Tarragona · NCT07672093

• Knee Osteoarthritis: See If Your Treatment Beliefs Help Your Physical Therapy

  This study will look to see if what patients expect from physical therapy influences the benefits they get for knee osteoarthritis.

  Recruiting Gazi University · Ankara, Yenimahalle · NCT07618403

• Blood flow restriction versus standard physical therapy after ankle ligament reconstruction

  This project will test whether adding blood flow restriction (BFR) to regular physical therapy helps adults recovering from ankle ligament reconstruction regain muscle and function faster.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center · Lubbock, Texas and 4 other locations · NCT07451210

• Real-world rehabilitation for children and young adults with cancer in Italy (ReWori)

  This project will follow children and young adults with cancer in Italy to see how their physical and motor abilities change while they receive usual physiotherapy or neuropsychomotor rehabilitation.

  Recruiting at 8 sites Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica · Bergamo, Italia and 12 other locations · NCT07368582

• Foot reflexology for managing gestational diabetes

  This study is testing if foot reflexology can help pregnant women with gestational diabetes manage their blood sugar levels better alongside regular prenatal care.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Kafrelsheikh University · Cairo and 1 other locations · NCT06976164

• Using electrical stimulation to improve recovery after knee surgery

  This study is testing if using electrical stimulation can help people recover better and get stronger after knee surgery compared to regular rehab.

  Recruiting at 3 sites University of Colorado, Denver · Aurora, Colorado and 2 other locations · NCT06953375

• Immersive physical therapy for NICU babies

  This project will try immersive physical and occupational therapy approaches with parents and very preterm infants (born before 29 weeks) to see if they lower parental stress and help parents meet their infants' needs.

  Recruiting University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, North Carolina · NCT06927037

• Comparing two types of dextrose injections for knee osteoarthritis treatment

  This study is testing whether a special type of knee injection guided by MRI works better than a standard injection for people aged 45 to 80 with knee osteoarthritis.

  Recruiting Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital · Taipei · NCT06755697

• Adding shock wave therapy to physiotherapy and corticosteroid injection for frozen shoulder

  This study is testing if adding shock wave therapy to regular treatments for frozen shoulder can help people feel better and move their shoulder more easily.

  Recruiting Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital · Taipei · NCT06491745

• Combining exercise with electrical stimulation for heart failure patients using an intra-aortic balloon pump

  This study is testing if adding electrical stimulation to an exercise program can help heart failure patients using an intra-aortic balloon pump get stronger and feel better compared to just doing the exercise alone.

  Recruiting University of Sao Paulo General Hospital · São Paulo, São Paulo · NCT06316349

• Motor imagery training to improve balance in older adults

  This study tests if combining motor imagery training with watching actions can help older adults improve their balance better than just using virtual reality balance training alone.

  Recruiting Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University · Menteşe, Muğla · NCT06056180

• Evaluating the need for physical therapy clearance before same-day discharge after joint surgery

  This study is testing if patients can safely go home on the same day after joint surgery without needing a physical therapy check first.

  Recruiting University of Maryland, Baltimore · Baltimore, Maryland and 1 other locations · NCT05858086

• Effects of high frequency electrical current on muscle pain and function

  This study is testing if a new type of electrical therapy called TECAR can help people with muscle pain and movement problems feel better compared to a standard treatment.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki · Kavala and 1 other locations · NCT05345015

NIH-funded research (23)

Early-stage science funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Most of these projects don't enroll patients, but they show what is being worked on.

• mHealth tool to boost physical therapy outcomes for adults with musculoskeletal pain

  A mobile health app is being tested to help adults in physical therapy stay on track with home exercises and improve pain and function.

  NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11607117

• Improving back-pain care in rural areas with tele-physical therapy

  This project tests a tele-rehabilitation program to help adults with chronic low back pain in rural communities access physical therapy and reduce opioid use.

  NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11412950

• Embedded ED Physical Therapy for Back Pain in the Emergency Department

  A dedicated physical therapist works with ED teams to help adults with back pain feel better sooner and reduce opioid use.

  NIH research Northwestern University · Chicago, United States · NIH-11384625

• Psilocybin for Chronic Back Pain: Brain Signals and Real-World Therapy Outcomes

  A patient-facing study will test whether a carefully controlled psilocybin treatment can improve body awareness and enhance physical therapy outcomes for people with chronic low back pain.

  NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-11359203

• Consultative Physical Therapy to Promote Exercise in Parkinson's Disease

  A program helps people with Parkinson’s start and keep up more exercise through fewer, regular guidance sessions from physical therapists.

  NIH research Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab · Chicago, United States · NIH-11332466

• Improving access to physical therapy for Hispanic patients with back and spine pain

  This program will try a culturally tailored approach to help Hispanic adults with spine pain get referred to and stick with physical therapy.

  NIH research San Diego State University · San Diego, United States · NIH-11261607

• Remote physical therapy to ease chronic low back pain and cut opioid use in rural communities

  This project offers remote physical therapy to people with long-term low back pain in rural areas to help them move better and depend less on opioid pain medicines.

  NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11194520

• Emergency department physical therapy for low back pain

  Seeing if having a physical therapist work inside the emergency room helps people with sudden low back pain recover faster and use fewer opioids.

  NIH research Northwestern University · Chicago, United States · NIH-11170393

• Improving access to physical therapy for chronic low back pain in rural areas using telehealth.

  This study is looking to make physical therapy easier for people with chronic low back pain living in rural areas by using online sessions, so you can get the help you need without worrying about travel or finding a therapist nearby.

  NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11163083

• Mobile app to support home exercises during physical therapy for muscle or joint pain

  This project uses a phone app to help people in physical therapy for muscle or joint pain follow their home exercise program and track their progress.

  NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11143817

• Using physical therapy to help people with Parkinson's exercise more effectively

  This study is looking at how a special Physical Therapy program can help people with Parkinson's disease get into a regular exercise routine, making it easier for them to stay active and improve their quality of life.

  NIH research Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab · Chicago, United States · NIH-11096053

• Investigating racial differences in disability and physical therapy use after hospitalization

  This study is looking at how differences in race, especially for Black patients, can impact recovery and the use of physical therapy after being in the hospital, and it aims to understand how social challenges affect these experiences to help improve care for older adults.

  NIH research University of Chicago · Chicago, United States · NIH-11084306

• Improving access to physical therapy for Hispanic patients with spine pain

  This study is working to make it easier for Hispanic patients with spine pain to get the physical therapy they need by creating a special program that understands their cultural needs, so they can feel more comfortable and supported in their treatment.

  NIH research San Diego State University · San Diego, United States · NIH-11008923

• Improving physical therapy adherence for knee osteoarthritis using gamification and health coaching

  This study is testing a fun and supportive way to help people with knee osteoarthritis stick to their home exercise routines by using games, social encouragement, and health coaching through a smartphone app, so they can feel better and stay active for longer.

  NIH research Philadelphia VA Medical Center · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-10992320

• Combining physical therapy with mindfulness for chronic pain patients on opioids

  This study is looking at how combining mindfulness practices with physical therapy can help people with chronic pain who are using long-term opioids, making it easier for them to manage their pain and reduce their reliance on medication in a friendly and supportive setting.

  NIH research University of Utah · Salt Lake City, United States · NIH-10989921

• Using a mobile app to improve physical therapy outcomes for musculoskeletal pain

  This study is looking at how a mobile app can help people with musculoskeletal pain get more out of their physical therapy by making it easier for them to follow their exercise routines and stay connected with their therapists.

  NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-10952496

• Using physical therapy in emergency departments to treat acute low back pain

  This study is looking at how adding physical therapy right in the emergency room can help people with sudden low back pain feel better and move easier, while also reducing the need for pain medications and unnecessary scans.

  NIH research Northwestern University at Chicago · Chicago, United States · NIH-10876918

• Comparing two physical therapy approaches for young children with cerebral palsy

  This study is looking at how two different types of physical therapy can help young children, ages 8 to 24 months, who have or are at risk for cerebral palsy, with one therapy focusing on play and problem-solving skills and the other on improving motor skills, all in the comfort of their homes.

  NIH research University of Southern California · Los Angeles, UNITED STATES · NIH-10875374

• Testing physical therapy in emergency departments for back pain relief

  This study is looking at whether having physical therapists in emergency rooms can help people with low back pain feel better faster and rely less on pain medications like opioids.

  NIH research Northwestern University at Chicago · Chicago, United States · NIH-10868852

• Encouraging exercise for people with multiple sclerosis through physical therapy

  This study is testing a new type of physical therapy to help people with multiple sclerosis get more active and improve their quality of life, and it’s looking for participants to see how well this approach works compared to those who aren’t receiving the therapy right away.

  NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-10814444

• Understanding physical therapy needs after surgery in children with cerebral palsy

  This study is looking at how different kinds and amounts of physical therapy help children with cerebral palsy recover their walking ability after surgery, so we can find the best ways to support their healing.

  NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-10809965

• Using brain stimulation to improve physical therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome

  This study is exploring a new way to help people with carpal tunnel syndrome by using a special non-invasive treatment that targets how the brain processes pain, aiming to make physical therapy more effective and reduce chronic pain.

  NIH research Highland Instruments, INC. · Cambridge, United States · NIH-10706948

• Using TENS therapy in physical therapy for fibromyalgia treatment

  This study is looking at whether using a TENS machine along with physical therapy can help people with fibromyalgia feel less pain, stick to their therapy better, and rely less on medications.

  NIH research University of Iowa · Iowa City, United States · NIH-10253306

Related topics

Quick answers

How many Physical Therapy clinical trials are recruiting right now?

15, as of November 12, 2026. We update this list each time we refresh our data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Where are these trials running?

In 9 countries. The most sites are in United States (4 trials), Taiwan (2 trials), Turkey (Türkiye) (2 trials), Spain (2 trials), Pakistan (1 trial). Each study page lists its sites and which ones are recruiting.

How do I join one?

Open a study, check the "Is this trial a fit for you?" section, then contact the study team listed on the page. They will ask a few screening questions. Asking is free and does not commit you to anything. Talk it over with your doctor first.

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