Remote physical therapy to ease chronic low back pain and cut opioid use in rural communities
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-11194520 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,230,285 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3AR083838-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11194520 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults living in rural communities with chronic low back pain, especially those who have trouble getting in-person physical therapy or who are using opioids for pain, are the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without reliable internet or a device for telehealth, those with spine problems that need immediate surgery, or patients whose pain is not primarily musculoskeletal may not benefit from remote physical therapy.
What this research studies
You would receive physical therapy delivered remotely so you do not have to travel long distances to see a therapist. The program focuses on people with chronic low back pain living in rural communities who face barriers like transportation, provider shortages, and missed work. Care will emphasize movement, function, and pain management while tracking opioid use over time. The team will compare outcomes for people who get improved telehealth access to physical therapy versus usual access patterns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help rural patients with chronic low back pain improve function, reduce pain-related disability, and lower opioid use by making physical therapy easier to access.
How similar studies have gone: In-person physical therapy has previously been shown to improve pain and function and to reduce opioid use, while delivering it by telehealth in rural settings has been less widely tested.
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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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.
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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
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.
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Ketamine-assisted care plan to help Veterans with chronic back pain and depression
A program for Veterans with chronic low back pain and depression that uses ketamine infusions followed by a brief narrative therapy to sustain relief from pain and mood improvement.
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Savoring Meditation for Chronic Low Back Pain patients
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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Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults and Hip Impairments
A study to help older adults with chronic low back pain, by looking at how hip problems affect their pain and function and testing tailored non-drug treatments.
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.