Physios take on ER duty: study tests if they can replace doctors for back pain

NCT ID NCT07443098

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Bern University of Applied Sciences Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether specially trained physiotherapists can safely diagnose and treat non-urgent muscle and joint pain in the emergency room, compared to standard care from doctors. 102 patients with back, neck, or shoulder pain were randomly assigned to either a physiotherapist or a resident physician. A senior doctor then reviewed each case to see how well the physiotherapist's decisions matched the senior's. The goal is to see if physiotherapists can help reduce ER wait times and free up doctors for more serious cases.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to: If successful, this could support using physiotherapists in emergency rooms to handle muscle and joint pain, potentially reducing wait times and freeing up doctors for more urgent cases.
What could go wrong: This is a small, single-hospital study with only 102 participants. Results may not apply to other hospitals or more complex cases. It tests agreement, not long-term patient outcomes.

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

102 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Oct 2023

Finished

Jan 2024

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

18 to 79 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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged 18 to 79 years presenting with non-serious musculoskeletal conditions * report a pain intensity between 3 and 7 on a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Exclusion Criteria: * major trauma, fracture * systemic signs (e.g., fever or unexplained profuse sweating) * progressive neurological deficits (i.e., severe sensory loss or weakness) * cauda equina syndrome with bladder or bowel dysfunction * progressive deterioration of the general condition * severe acute medical distress (e.g., suspected myocardial infarction) * allergic reaction with or without skin rashes * acute mental illness (psychological condition) * Patients who are unwilling or unable to provide informed consent or lacking decision-making capacity.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

disease Emergencies Low Back Pain musculoskeletal system disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Clinical competence Diagnostic techniques and procedures Emergency service, hospital Low back pain Musculoskeletal diseases Patient discharge Physical therapy modalities

Physios take on ER duty: study tests if they can replace doctors for back pain

What the study statuses mean