Improving access to physical therapy for Hispanic patients with spine pain
Official title: Salud de tu Espalda Primary Care to Physical Therapy (STEPPT): Mitigating ethnic disparities in access and engagement in spine pain rehabilitation
Funded at San Diego State University · NIH-11008923 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Diego State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | July 13, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $562,865 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD018937-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11008923 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Hispanic individuals experiencing spine pain who may have difficulty accessing physical therapy services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Hispanic or those who do not experience spine pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance access to physical rehabilitation for Hispanic patients suffering from spine pain, who often face barriers in seeking care. The project will adapt and implement culturally informed practices to improve physician referrals and patient adherence to physical therapy. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research will develop a tailored intervention called STEPPT, which will be tested in a clinical trial within a Federally Qualified Health Center serving low-income communities. The goal is to reduce ethnic disparities in treatment access and engagement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management and rehabilitation outcomes for Hispanic patients with spine pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in implementing culturally tailored interventions to improve healthcare access among minority populations, suggesting potential for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
San Diego State University
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Monroe, Katrina S. — San Diego State University
- Study coordinator: Monroe, Katrina S.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.