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NCT Number: NCT06987656

Physiotherapy in Emergency Department for Acute Lumbar Spasm

This retrospective observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions-such as manual therapy, electrotherapy (TENS), and individualized exercise programs-in managing acute lumbar spasm in patients presenting to the emergency department. By analyzing medical records from January to June 2024 at Düzce University Faculty of Medicine, the study will compare outcomes between patients receiving only pharmacological treatment and those receiving additional physiotherapy. Primary outcomes include changes in pain levels (measured by Visual Analog Scale), medication usage, patient satisfaction, and re-admission rates within an 8-week follow-up period. The findings aim to inform the integration of physiotherapy into emergency care protocols for acute lumbar spasm.

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Key information

Conditions

Acute Low Back Pain Agnosia Disease Attributes Emergencies Emergency Care Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal Pain Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Perceptual Disorders Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Duzce University

Düzce, 81620, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This retrospective observational study investigates the role of physiotherapy in managing acute lumbar spasm in emergency department settings. The study will review medical records of 100 patients aged 18 to 65 who presented to Düzce University Faculty of Medicine Emergency Department between January and June 2024 with non-specific acute low back spasm.

Patients will be divided into two groups based on documented treatment: (1) those receiving pharmacological treatment only, and (2) those receiving both pharmacological and physiotherapy interventions. Physiotherapy interventions include spinal mobilization, myofascial release, TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), and individualized exercise protocols.

Primary outcomes include changes in pain intensity (measured by Visual Analog Scale), medication consumption, re-admission rates within 8 weeks, and overall patient satisfaction. The study also incorporates a cost analysis based on national reimbursement tariffs (SUT) to evaluate the financial impact of integrating physiotherapy into emergency care.

This study does not involve any direct intervention, and data are collected exclusively from existing electronic health records. Ethical approval has been obtained. The findings are expected to guide future protocols involving the integration of physiotherapy into emergency departments in Turkey.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged between 18 and 65 years
  • Presented to the emergency department with non-specific acute lumbar spasm
  • No serious pathology on initial evaluation (e.g., infection, malignancy, fracture)
  • No contraindications to physiotherapy or physical activity
  • Agreed to participate in the study and signed the informed consent (if applicable in prospective cases)

Exclusion criteria

  • History of chronic low back pain
  • Presence of neurological deficits (e.g., paresis, paralysis)
  • Diagnosed with serious medical conditions such as infection, malignancy, or spondylodiscitis
  • Pregnancy or contraindications related to reproductive health
  • History of spinal surgery within the past year
  • Cognitive or physical impairments limiting treatment participation

Treatment and study plan

Standard Pharmacologic Treatment

Drug

Standard pharmacologic management including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants (e.g., thiocolchicoside), and analgesics (e.g., paracetamol, tramadol) for acute lumbar spasm.

physiotherapy intervention

Other

Physiotherapy interventions included spinal mobilization (Maitland techniques), myofascial release, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and personalized exercise programs, as documented in patient medical records.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) From Admission to Discharge

    Time frame: VAS score (0-10 scale)

    At Emergency Department Admission and at Time of Discharge (up to 12 hours)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Level of Patient Satisfaction Recorded at Discharge

    Time frame: At Discharge (within 12 hours of Emergency Department Admission)

    Patient satisfaction levels will be assessed using standardized satisfaction forms documented in the electronic medical record system at the time of discharge. Data will be extracted retrospectively and categorized as satisfied, neutral, or dissatisfied, based on the available hospital documentation.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Duzce University

Other

Collaborators

  • Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

Registry information

Official study title

The Role of Physiotherapy in the Management of Acute Lumbar Spasm in Emergency Departments: A Retrospective Observational Study

Acronym: PT-ED

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 23, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 8, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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