New study: could starting PT right away get young athletes back in the game faster?
NCT ID NCT05505981
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tested whether starting physical therapy immediately after diagnosis helps adolescent athletes with spondylolysis (a stress fracture in the lower back) recover better than waiting until pain goes away. Sixty-four athletes aged 10-19 were randomly assigned to either immediate PT or standard rest. The study measured function, pain, quality of life, and time to return to sport to see if the immediate approach is feasible and tolerable.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- immediate physical therapy (functional progression program)
- What this could lead to
- If this works, it could show that starting physical therapy right away helps adolescent athletes with spondylolysis recover faster and return to sports sooner.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 64 participants, so results may not apply to all athletes. The approach is new and needs larger trials to confirm benefits.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
64 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Aug 2022
- Finished
-
Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
10 to 19 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion criteria 1. Age between 10 and 19 years. 2. Active spondylolysis diagnosed by a participating physician using MRI. Signs of active spondylolysis are defined as edema in the posterior elements of the lumbar vertebrae at the pars interarticularis with or without a fracture. 3. Organized sport participation at least two times per week at the time of diagnosis or onset of LBP. Exclusion criteria 1. Previous rest from activity \> four weeks due to LBP 2. Numbness or tingling in any lumbar dermatome. 3. Other injury or condition that would alter the plan of care for spondylolysis (i.e., pregnancy, anterior cruci-ate ligament tear in the knee, concussion). 4. History of lumbar spine surgery.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Lumbar spondylosis are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Children's Hospital of Colorado
Denver, Colorado, 80045, United States
-
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio, 43215, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Mind over matter: could a smartphone app supercharge spine surgery recovery?
- New electrode design may extend pain relief for common back condition
- Freezing pain away: yale tests Nerve-Blocking procedure for Long-Term relief
- Can catgut threads beat needles for back pain?
- Needle combo may ease stubborn back pain without drugs
- Bone stimulator may speed up Athletes' return to sport after spine injury