Could manual therapists replace the doctor as first stop for back pain?
NCT ID NCT07825116
First seen Sep 17, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are studying whether having a licensed manual therapist assess and advise patients with neck or back pain before they see a doctor leads to better recovery, function, and work ability. The trial compares 300 patients who see a manual therapist first with 300 who receive usual care from their physician. Patients are followed for one year to measure pain, activity limitations, and health economics.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- assessment and counseling by a licensed manual therapist (naprapath or chiropractor)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, primary care centers could add manual therapists as a first point of contact for neck and back pain, potentially easing pressure on doctors and improving patient recovery.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational comparison, not a randomized trial, so differences between groups may reflect other factors. Results may not apply to other clinics or health systems.
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
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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
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About 600 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Nov 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * Patients 18-70 years, with an appointment with a physician at the primary health care center for a new episode of pain or discomfort in the neck, mid-back or lower back with or without radiating symptoms to the head, arms, or leg Exclusion Criteria: * Sick-leave for neck- and backpain the preceding three months (at least 50%), having consulted or been treated by licensed healthcare provider for neck- and backpain during the preceding three months, and not mastering the Swedish language
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm 171 77 Solna
Stockholm, Sweden
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