Combining telehealth and in-person physical therapy for children with disabilities

Does Hybrid Telehealth Physical Therapy for Children With Moderate to Severe Disability Improve Function in the Home Environment Better Than In-person Services Alone?--A Mixed Methods Study

Not applicable Interventional University of Missouri-Columbia · NCT05350904

This study is testing if mixing online and in-person physical therapy helps children with disabilities improve their everyday skills better than just in-person therapy alone.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages2 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Missouri-Columbia Academic / other
Locations1 site (Columbia, Missouri)
Trial IDNCT05350904 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a hybrid approach that combines telehealth and in-person physical therapy services compared to traditional in-person services alone for improving the in-home functional skills of children aged 2-17 with moderate to severe disabilities. It employs a mixed methods design to assess not only the functional outcomes but also the satisfaction levels of both caregivers and children. The study will gather qualitative and quantitative data to understand the experiences of families receiving this hybrid model of care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 2-17 years with moderate to significant disabilities who have access to the necessary technology for telehealth visits.

Not a fit: Patients whose caregivers do not speak English may not benefit from this study due to language barriers.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of physical therapy for children with disabilities, leading to improved functional skills and caregiver satisfaction.

How similar studies have performed: While hybrid models of care are gaining traction, this specific approach has not been widely tested, making it a novel exploration in pediatric physical therapy.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Children 2-17 years old with moderate to significant disability.
* Families have access to minimum technology necessary to participate in a telehealth visit. ---The child's insurance covers telehealth visits.

Exclusion Criteria:

-Caregiver does not speak English

Where this trial is running

Columbia, Missouri

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pediatric DisorderDisability, Developmental
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.