Improving back-pain care in rural areas with tele-physical therapy
Official title: Improving Function and Reducing Opioid Use for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain in Rural Communities through Improved Access to Physical Therapy using Telerehabilitation
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11412950 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,178,353 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3AR083838-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412950 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic low back pain living in rural communities, who can use telehealth tools.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to the required technology or who prefer in-person care may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
If you have chronic low back pain and live in a rural area, this program uses tele-rehabilitation to connect you with physical therapists. It aims to improve pain and function while helping you cut back on opioid medicines by providing accessible therapy at home or nearby. The plan includes coordinating care remotely, addressing barriers like transportation and time off work, and monitoring outcomes over several years. Participants would work with licensed therapists through secure video visits and guided home exercises, with attention to practical challenges in rural settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants could experience less pain, better function, and lower reliance on opioids, along with easier access to effective physical therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Prior evidence supports tele-rehabilitation as a feasible approach for improving outcomes in chronic low back pain, with ongoing work to adapt it to rural settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skolasky, Richard L. — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Skolasky, Richard L.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.
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Psilocybin for Chronic Back Pain: Brain Signals and Real-World Therapy Outcomes
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A study tests a brief mindfulness-based practice called Savoring Meditation to help people with chronic low back pain feel better emotionally and manage pain in daily life.
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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.