Physiotherapist-led care for minor muscle and joint injuries in the emergency department
Effect and Cost-effectiveness of a Physiotherapy-led Care Model for Patients Referred to an Emergency Department Due to Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Multicentre Quasi-randomized Clinical Trial
This trial will try having specially trained physiotherapists treat adults with non-urgent minor muscle or joint injuries in the emergency department to see if it helps patients and reduces pressure on doctors and nurses.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 800 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Aarhus University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Aarhus N) |
| Trial ID | NCT07137754 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults who present to participating Danish emergency departments with non-urgent upper or lower extremity musculoskeletal pain or injury and who speak Danish will be enrolled. Participants will receive either an advanced practice physiotherapist-led assessment and treatment or the usual emergency department care, and researchers will compare clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and costs. The trial will capture resource use in the ED and downstream care to measure economic impact. Collaborating hospitals include Aarhus University Hospital, regional Danish hospitals, and an academic partner in Montréal.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults with non-urgent (triage blue) musculoskeletal pain or injury to the upper or lower extremities who speak and understand Danish and are cognitively able to participate.
Not a fit: Patients with high-velocity trauma or signs of serious pathology such as infection, cancer-related or inflammatory conditions, or those who cannot communicate in Danish or are cognitively unable to participate are unlikely to benefit from this model.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this care model could speed up treatment for minor injuries, improve patient experience, free up doctors and nurses for sicker patients, and lower overall costs.
How similar studies have performed: Similar advanced-physiotherapist-led emergency department models in Canada, Australia, and the UK have reported benefits for patients and health systems in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Musculoskeletal pain and injury to the upper or lower extremities * Triaged non-urgent (blue) in the emergency department * Speaks and understands Danish Exclusion Criteria: * High velocity trauma * Cognitively unable to participate * Non-malignant conditions (cancer, inflammation, infection)
Where this trial is running
Aarhus N
- Aarhus University Hospital — Aarhus N, Denmark (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Nanna Rolving, Associate professor — Aarhus University Hospital
- Study coordinator: Nanna Rolving, Associate professor
- Email: Nanna.Rolving@rm.dk
- Phone: +45 40321618
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.