New care model for treating acute low back pain

Task-sharing and Shifting Model Between Family Physicians and Physiotherapists for Acute Low Back Pain Patients: a Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital, Grenoble · NCT05200533

This study tests a new way of treating acute low back pain by having family doctors and physiotherapists work together to see if it helps patients feel better and be more satisfied with their care compared to regular treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment195 (estimated)
Ages20 Years to 55 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Grenoble Academic / other
Locations6 sites (Annecy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and 5 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05200533 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates a new model of care that integrates task-sharing and shifting between family physicians and physiotherapists for patients with acute low back pain. It aims to assess the impact of this collaborative approach on clinical outcomes, healthcare resource utilization, and patient satisfaction. The study employs a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial design to compare this new model against usual care. Participants will be recruited from specific healthcare facilities in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 20 to 55 who have experienced acute low back pain for less than 4 weeks and can communicate in French.

Not a fit: Patients who are protected under public health regulations or unable to complete surveys may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this model could improve patient outcomes and satisfaction while optimizing healthcare resources for acute low back pain management.

How similar studies have performed: While task-sharing and shifting models have been explored in various contexts, this specific approach for acute low back pain is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients from 20 to 55 years old
* Suffering from acute low back pain since less than 4 weeks
* Able to understand and speak French
* Whose family physician is included in the task-sharing and shifting model (only in the intervention group)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Protected patient according to the public health regulation,
* Patient unable to fill the survey,
* Non-availability of the physiotherapist to receive the patient (only in the intervention group)

Where this trial is running

Annecy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and 5 other locations

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 Low Back PainTask-sharingTask-shiftingFamily physicianPhysiotherapist
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.