Improving pain management for chronic back pain using telehealth in community clinics
Official title: Nonpharmacologic Pain Management in FQHC Primary Care Clinics
Run by University of Utah · NCT04923334 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study is testing two different telehealth approaches to help people with chronic back pain in community clinics manage their pain better and reduce their need for opioids.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Utah Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Salt Lake City, Utah and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT04923334 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-80 with chronic back pain who have visited an FQHC provider in the past 90 days.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are currently pregnant, have a recent history of spine surgery, or have conditions that restrict physical activity may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to enhance pain management and reduce reliance on opioids for patients with chronic back pain in Utah's Federally-Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). It compares two nonpharmacologic treatment strategies delivered via telehealth: one involves a brief pain teleconsult followed by a 10-week telehealth physical therapy, while the other uses an adaptive approach based on patient response. The study also gathers implementation data to inform future scaling of effective strategies in low-resource healthcare settings. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and at 12, 26, and 52 weeks post-intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide effective pain management alternatives for patients, reducing the need for opioid medications.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in using telehealth for pain management, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Able to communicate in English or Spanish * Age between 18-80 * Visit with an FQHC provider (in-person or via telehealth) in past 90 days * Back pain has been an ongoing problem for at least the past 3 months, and has been a problem on at least half the days in the past 6 months * Access to resources necessary to receive telehealth sessions (phone or 2-way video) Exclusion Criteria: * Currently pregnant * Currently involved in active substance use disorder treatment (other than peer support groups, AA, etc.) * History of spine surgery in past 6 months * Has a condition restricting participation in physical activity (i.e., unable to ambulate independently (with or without assistive device) for at least 5 minutes. * Reason for back pain is a fracture or non-musculoskeletal condition (i.e., spinal tumor, inflammatory disorder, etc.)
Where it's running
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Association of Utah Community Health
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Recruiting -
The University of Utah Healthcare System
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.