Using physical therapy in emergency departments to treat acute low back pain
A Cluster-Randomized Trial of the Northwestern Embedded Emergency Department Physical Therapy (NEED-PT) Protocol for 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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10876918 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a new protocol that integrates physical therapy into emergency department care for patients with acute low back pain. By providing immediate access to physical therapists, the study aims to improve patient outcomes through education, guidance, and early mobilization exercises. The approach seeks to reduce reliance on opioid medications and unnecessary imaging, which are common in current treatment practices. Patients will be compared to those receiving standard care to assess improvements in function and pain management.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing acute low back pain who visit the emergency department.
Not a fit: Patients with chronic low back pain or those who do not visit the emergency department for their pain may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better management of acute low back pain, reducing opioid use and improving recovery times for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data suggest that integrating physical therapy in emergency care has shown promising results, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Howard S — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Kim, Howard S
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 below.