Video-based First-contact Physiotherapy in Primary Care

NCT07788651 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 3 other identifiers: VIPP2025-079152025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 208
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects and implications of using video-based first-contact consultation in primary care physiotherapy, compared with traditional in-person consultation for musculoskeletal symptoms. The participants with musculoskeletal symptoms will receive either a video-based first contact physiotherapy consultation or an in-person first-contact physiotherapy consultation and will be followed for up to two years. The project addresses clinical effectiveness, healthcare utilisation, cost-effectiveness, and carbon footprint, according to the following specific aims. Objectives

• To evaluate whether a video-based first-contact consultation with a physiotherapist is not clinically inferior to an in-person first-contact consultation, using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) as the primary outcome measure and multiple secondary outcomes assessed over time.
• To analyse healthcare utilisation in primary and specialist care at 12 and 24 months following a video-based first-contact consultation, compared with an in-person first contact consultation.
• To evaluate whether a video-based first-contact consultation with a physiotherapist is cost-effective from a healthcare perspective and in terms of environmental impact compared with an in-person first contact consultation.

Conditions

Musculoskeletal Diseases

Keywords

Remote Consultation; Physical Therapy Modalities; Digital Health; Telemedicine

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) at 6 weeks

  Evaluates treatment outcomes by having the patient identify three activities limited by their condition and rate them on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 = "unable to perform activity" and 10 = "able to perform activity at the same level as before injury or problem" (Stratford et al., 1995).

  6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (23)

• Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) at baseline

  Baseline

• Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) at 3 months

  3 months

• Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) at 6 months

  6 months

• Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) at 12 months

  12 months

• Pain intensity using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at baseline

  Baseline

Other Outcomes (23)

• Demographic data

  Baseline

• General self-efficacy

  Baseline

• Trust in digital care using Patient Trust Assessment Tool (PATAT)

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Video-based first-contact physiotherapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive a video-based first-contact physiotherapy consultation. Following the first-contact consultation, participants will receive standard individualised physiotherapy treatment which falls outside the scope of the study.

Other: Video-based first-contact physiotherapy consultation

Traditional in-person first-contact physiotherapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive an in-person physiotherapy consultation at a primary care rehabilitation clinic. Following the first-contact consultation, participants will receive standard individualised physiotherapy treatment which falls outside the scope of the study.

Other: In-person first-contact physiotherapy consultation

Interventions

Video-based first-contact physiotherapy consultation OTHER

Participants receive a video-based first-contact physiotherapy consultation. Following the assessment, individualised standard physiotherapy treatment is provided as needed. During the video-based assessment, participants will be in a setting of their choice and will meet a physiotherapist via video. The physiotherapists will be trained in a structured model for conducting video-based physiotherapeutic assessments. The rehabilitation clinic's standard platform for real-time audio and video healthcare visits will be used. The estimated time will be approximately 30-45 minutes.

Video-based first-contact physiotherapy

In-person first-contact physiotherapy consultation OTHER

Participants receive an in-person physiotherapy consultation at a primary care rehabilitation clinic. Following the assessment, individualised standard physiotherapy treatment is provided as needed. The traditional in-person consultation will be conducted at a rehabilitation clinic within the public healthcare system in Region Västra Götaland. The estimated time will be approximately 30-45 minutes.

Traditional in-person first-contact physiotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 years or older.
• Musculoskeletal complaints.
• Sufficient linguistic and cognitive ability to read, understand, and complete a web-based application form and provide informed consent in Swedish.
• Willing to attend the clinic in person.

You may not qualify if:

• Ongoing treatment for the current condition with planned follow-up by a physiotherapist.
• Lack of access to technology capable of supporting video consultations (e.g., smartphone, computer, or tablet).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Vastra Gotaland Region: lead
• The Swedish Research Council: collaborator

Related Publications (33)

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Musculoskeletal Diseases

Study Officials

• Elvira Lange, PhD

  Vastra Gotaland Region

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Elvira Lange, PhD

CONTACT

+46 764-95 61 23; elvira.m.lange@vgregion.se

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 10, 2026
• First Posted: August 26, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2030
• Last Updated: August 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: After ethical approval. Anticipated date: Oktober 1st 2026. End: Available as long as R\&D Project Database in Region Västra Götaland is available.
• Access Criteria: Individual participant data (IPD) will be provided if the request complies with GDPR and Swedish data protection regulations.