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STEPPT Study for Low Back and Neck Pain

This study, called "Stratified Targeted Engagement From Primary Care to Physical Therapy (STEPPT)," is testing a new way to help Hispanic patients with low back or neck pain get and stick with physical therapy. Researchers want to see if the STEPPT program, which involves clinic leadership, a patient registry, and automated patient education materials, can improve how often doctors refer Hispanic patients to physical therapy and how often those patients attend their appointments. You might be able to join if you are 18 or older, identify as Hispanic or Non-Hispanic, and are seeking care for spine pain at a participating Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The study aims to enroll 17,587 people. The current status of the study is unclear.

Study design
This study is an interventional trial designed to compare the STEPPT program to usual care. It plans to enroll 17,587 participants.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Physical therapy referral rates will be measured for 3 months after your first doctor's visit, and physical therapy adherence will be measured for 6 months after your physical therapy referral.

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

NCT07290361

Stratified Targeted Engagement From Primary Care to Physical Therapy (STEPPT)

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalHealth services
San Diego State University
~17,587 participants
Updated 2026-08-14 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Engagement of clinic leadership (System Intervention - Usual Care)Engagement of clinic leadership (System Intervention - STEPPT)Patient Registry (System Intervention - STEPPT)Delivery of Patient Education Materials (System Intervention - Usual Care)Delivery of Patient Education Materials (System Intervention - STEPPT)Referral Specialist Training (System Intervention - Usual Care)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Physical Therapy Referral
Measured over Patient level: 3-months after index PCP encounter; Clinic level: 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months after start of trial
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Low Back Pain
Neck Pain

Explore related trials

Lower Back PainNeck Pain

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Katrina Monroe, PT, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · San Diego State University
  • Sara Gombatto, PT, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · San Diego State University Research Foundation

Who to contact

Cheenee R Real, BSN, MPH, MSOL
[email protected]
323-508-6312
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

18 years or older.
Identify as either Hispanic or Non-Hispanic ethnicity, inclusive of all races.
Seeking care for spine pain at an Adult or Adult Walk-in primary care clinic within the participating Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
New or existing spine pain problem: A new spine pain problem is defined by a new ICD code for neck or back pain added to the problem list during a visit with a primary care physician. An existing spine pain problem is defined by an existing ICD code for neck or back pain on the problem list that is associated with a physician referral for any service during the visit related to the neck or back pain problem.
Signed a broad consent for the use of de-identified health information for research at the participating FQHC.

Exclusion

Spine pain associated with a non-musculoskeletal etiology (e.g., infection, cancer, urological disorders, pregnancy, etc.)
Patients requiring urgent medical intervention (e.g., fracture, cauda equina syndrome, etc)
Active physical therapy referral for spine pain at the time of the index encounter.
Previously referred to physical therapy through the STEPPT Care Pathway.
Physical therapy referrals external to the FQHC will be excluded from the analysis of physical therapy adherence

What this trial measures

  • Physical Therapy ReferralPatient level: 3-months after index PCP encounter; Clinic level: 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months after start of trial

    Proportion of enrolled patients who receive an internal or external referral to physical therapy following Primary Care Provider (PCP) index encounter for a new or existing episode of spine pain.

  • Physical Therapy AdherencePatient level: 6-months after index physical therapy referral; Clinic level: 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months after start of trial

    Proportion of enrolled patients who complete a physical therapy evaluation at the Federally Qualified Health Center following an internal referral to physical therapy for a new or existing episode of spine pain.