Using Telehealth to Improve Musculoskeletal Care Through Expanded Physical Therapy Access

ClinicalTrials.gov ID

NCT07705945

Lead Sponsor

Brooke Army Medical CenterFED

Overall Status

Not yet recruiting

Study Type

Interventional

Phase

Not Applicable

Enrollment

210Estimated

Last Update Posted

Jul 15, 2026Actual

Start Date

Jul 1, 2026Estimated

Primary Completion Date

Mar 1, 2028Estimated

Completion Date

Jul 1, 2028Estimated

Official Title

Using Telehealth to Improve Musculoskeletal Care Through Expanded Physical Therapy Access: The TELE-MC Trial

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to explore and compare the effectiveness of in-person versus remote physical therapy (PT) for the treatment of musculoskeletal (MSK) pain within the Military Health System (MHS).

Detailed Description

This study will explore the effect of remote two-way video conference telehealth physical therapy sessions compared to standard of care in-person physical therapy. Eligible participants will be randomized into one of the 2 treatment arms. Specific aims will compare the effectiveness of physical therapy delivery strategies on the primary outcome of Pain, Enjoyment, and General Activity (PEG-3) Scale, which measures pain interference, and secondary outcomes of PROMIS short forms (mood, physical function, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and prescription medication misuse), patient global impression of change, and pain self-efficacy.

• Musculoskeletal Pain

• In-person physical therapy (PT)
• Telehealth physical therapy (TH-PT)

Ages Eligible for Study

Adult (18-64)

Sexes Eligible for Study

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 18-64
• TRICARE Beneficiary (active duty, retiree, dependent)
• Health care visit for their MSK condition in the past 6 weeks
• Diagnosed with an MSK condition that has persisted for at least 2 weeks
• Has a computer (either smartphone, tablet or laptop), with video and audio capabilities for telehealth, including access to internet
• Able to speak and read English well enough to provide informed consent, follow study instructions and independently answer the questionnaires
• Available to attend treatment sessions over the next 2 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Surgery for any MSK condition in the past 6 months
• Currently known to be pregnant
• Medical contraindication to exercise
• Currently receiving or scheduled to receive invasive or other nonpharmacologic interventions for any MSK condition (e.g., chiropractic, injections, etc.) with the exception of a physical therapy referral, an issued profile or duty restriction, or other related patient education
• Anyone separating from the military within 9 months (other than normal military retirement), pending a medical or physical evaluation board, discharge from the military for medical reasons, or pending or undergoing any litigation for an injury
• Signs of serious or systemic pathology that could be responsible for the musculoskeletal pain (i.e. ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, vertebral osteomyelitis, or psoriatic arthritis), currently receiving treatment for cancer other than skin cancer or acute fracture (in the last 3 months) of the musculoskeletal region.

Primary Purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional Model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

Double

Lead Sponsor

Brooke Army Medical CenterFED

Collaborators

Tripler Army Medical CenterFED

Madigan Army Medical CenterFED

C.R.Darnall Army Medical CenterFED

University of UtahOTHER

sammc@militaryclinicalresearch.org

militaryclinicalresearch@gmail.com210-539-9638

jblmresearch@gmail.com253-448-2453

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