Clinical trial Recruiting at 3 sites Interventional Ages 18 to 64

Telerehabilitation for chronic low back pain

Official title: Telerehabilitation for Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain (TeleBACK Clinical Trial)

Run by Johns Hopkins University · NCT06821607 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether video-based physical therapy can help people with chronic low back pain just as well as traditional in-person therapy.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 64 Years
SexAll
Enrollment1000 (estimated)
SponsorJohns Hopkins University
Academic / other
Locations3 sites (Baltimore, Maryland and 2 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 1, 2025
Main results expectedSeptember 30, 2029
Study endsMay 1, 2030
Registry record updatedAugust 21, 2026
Trial IDNCT06821607 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults experiencing chronic low back pain with moderate to severe levels of pain and disability.

Probably not a fit

Patients with recent lumbar spine surgery or serious underlying pathologies causing their low back pain 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 investigates the effectiveness of telerehabilitation, which involves physical therapy delivered via video visits, compared to traditional in-clinic physical therapy for patients suffering from chronic low back pain. The study will enroll 1000 patients and utilize a mixed methods approach, including electronic surveys and semi-structured interviews, to assess patient engagement and the impact of both treatment options on healthcare utilization. The trial aims to provide insights into the quality of care and barriers faced by patients in managing their condition.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide patients with effective and accessible treatment options for managing chronic low back pain.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with telerehabilitation approaches, indicating potential for success in this trial.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Primary care visit in the past 90 days with an LBP-related ICD-10 diagnosis.
* At least moderate levels of pain and disability requiring Oswestry score ≥24% and average pain rating ≥ 4/10 points.
* Meets NIH Task Force2 definition of chronic LBP based on two questions: 1) How long has LBP has been an ongoing problem? and 2) How often has LBP been an ongoing problem over the past 6 months? A response of greater than 3 months to question 1, and "at least half the days in the past 6 months" to question 2 is required to satisfy the NIH definition of chronic LBP.
* Can speak and understand English or Spanish (Utah sites only).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent history (last 6 months) of lumbar spine surgery.
* Possible non-musculoskeletal cause for low back pain symptoms (e.g., pregnancy).
* Evidence of serious pathology as a cause of LBP including neoplasm, inflammatory disease (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis), vertebral osteomyelitis, etc.
* Neurological disorder resulting in severe movement disorder, or schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder.
* Knowingly pregnant

Where it's running

  • Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
    Baltimore, Maryland, United States
    Recruiting
  • Intermountain Healthcare
    Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Utah
    Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Richard L. Skolasky, Sc.D. — Johns Hopkins University
  • Study coordinator: Richard L Skolasky, Sc.D.
  • Email: rskolas1@jhmi.edu
  • Phone: 410-502-7975

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.