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

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project uses a mobile app to support physical therapy for adults with musculoskeletal pain, aiming to improve adherence to home exercise programs and monitor progress. It builds on evidence that staying engaged with PT and completing exercises can lower pain and disability and may reduce costly health care use. The study will test how well the mobile RTM platform works when integrated into the PT episode of care at Johns Hopkins. Participants will use the app to receive and track exercises and report symptoms, with clinicians monitoring progress. If successful, the approach could become a scalable way to enhance PT effectiveness and potentially reduce opioid use and unnecessary procedures.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Johns Hopkins University
  Baltimore, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Mclaughlin, Kevin — Johns Hopkins University
• Study coordinator: Mclaughlin, Kevin

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• 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

• 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

• Biopsychosocial factors in pediatric chronic musculoskeletal pain

  A study at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital will look at how biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to chronic muscle and joint pain in young people to find better ways to help them.

  NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11419876

• 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

• Nonaddictive pain-relief prodrug gel for joint and musculoskeletal pain

  A new, nonaddictive pain-relief gel uses a hydromorphone prodrug that stays at the site of pain to reduce pain without strong addiction risk.

  NIH research University of Nebraska Medical Center · Omaha, United States · NIH-11401234

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.