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Observational Study on Musculoskeletal Injury Risk in Service Members

This observational study, called PREPARE, aims to understand and improve how we assess the risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) – injuries to muscles, bones, and joints – in active duty Service members. Researchers are looking at both physical and mental factors before and after an injury. You might be eligible if you are an active duty Service member between 18 and 44 years old, cleared for full physical activity, or if you have a musculoskeletal injury affecting your lower back or leg and are receiving conservative treatment. The study's main goal is to identify factors that lead to MSKIs and poor outcomes after an injury, with the hope of developing better ways to prevent and treat these injuries. The study plans to enroll 2690 participants.

Study design
This is an observational study, meaning researchers will collect information without giving specific treatments. It plans to include 2690 participants.
What's involved
Participants will complete comprehensive clinical assessments, including functional movement quality, joint range of motion, and psychosocial assessments. These assessments may be done multiple times depending on your group (pilot, pre-injury, or post-injury).
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed through study completion, which is an average of 1 year, to measure the number of musculoskeletal injuries.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05111925

Pre- and Post-neuromusculoskeletal Injury Risk Evaluation for Return-to-Duty Enhancement

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18–44Observational
Womack Army Medical Center
~2,690 participants
Updated 2026-06-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:PREPARE Initial Clinical Assessment - Pilot (two iterations)PREPARE Initial Clinical Assessment - Pre-Injury (one iteration)PREPARE Initial Clinical Assessment - Post-Injury (up to three iterations)PREPARE Optimized Clinical Assessment

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Number of musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) by study participant.
Measured over through study completion, an average of 1 year.

Conditions

Musculoskeletal Injuries

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NCT05111925

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 2 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

    Bethesda, Marylandstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Womack Army Medical Center

    Fort Liberty, North Carolinastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Timothy C Mauntel, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Womack Army Medical Center

Who to contact

Timothy C Mauntel, PhD
[email protected]
910-849-7226
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Active duty Service members cleared for full physical activity.
18-44 years old
Active duty Service members cleared for full physical activity.
18-44 years old
Active duty Service members receiving conservative treatment exclusively for a musculoskeletal injury affecting the low back or lower extremity.
Recruited at any time following presentation to a rehabilitation care facility for care of the MSKI of interest
18-44 years old

Exclusion

Currently on limited duty status, for any reason.
Unable to read or comprehend the English language.
Pregnant females (will be eligible for participation in the study after the pregnancy)
Currently on limited duty status, for any reason.
Scheduled for a deployment or separation from current unit within the next 12 months.
Unable to read or comprehend the English language.
Pregnant females (will be eligible for participation in the study after the pregnancy)
Unable to read or comprehend the English language.
A MSKI within the last 6 months.
History of lower extremity or low back musculoskeletal related surgery.
History of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury.
Pregnant females (will be eligible for participation in the study after the pregnancy)

What this trial measures

  • Number of musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) by study participant.through study completion, an average of 1 year.

    Each MSKI that requires a participant to either seek medical attention from a healthcare provider or to not participate in normal physical activity for 1 or more consecutive days will be recorded.