Emergency Department Physical Therapy for Dizziness
(FEED-PT Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if having a physical therapist in the emergency department (ED) can provide immediate, improved care for people with dizziness. Typically, patients wait weeks for outpatient physical therapy, but this trial tests whether immediate care in the ED is more effective. Participants will either receive this new immediate physical therapy approach (Embedded Emergency Department Physical Therapy) or continue with the usual care, which might include tests and medications. Those visiting the ED for dizziness at Northwestern Memorial Hospital or University of Utah Hospital between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and who speak English or Spanish, might be a good fit. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative care improvements for dizziness in the ED.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.
What prior data suggests that this embedded ED physical therapy model is safe for patients with dizziness?
Research has shown that having a physical therapist in the emergency department (ED) to assist with dizziness is safe. This approach has been applied to other issues, such as low back pain, without major safety concerns. The techniques and exercises used by therapists are standard and well-established, not experimental, indicating they have been tried and tested.
Studies indicate that this type of care does not harm patients. No reports of serious side effects or problems exist. Instead, it makes care quicker and easier to access.
Overall, having a physical therapist in the ED for dizziness is well-tolerated. No evidence of serious adverse events has been found. The aim is to help patients feel better sooner, without waiting for a separate therapy appointment.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about embedding physical therapy directly in the emergency department (ED) for dizziness because it addresses treatment delays common in usual care. Unlike the standard process, where patients often wait weeks for outpatient physical therapy referrals, this approach provides immediate, on-site care. By placing a physical therapist in the ED, patients receive timely exercises, maneuvers, and coaching right when they need it. This method could significantly enhance patient outcomes by reducing wait times and potentially speeding up recovery.
What evidence suggests that this embedded ED physical therapy is effective for dizziness?
This trial will compare usual care with the addition of embedded emergency department physical therapy for dizziness. Research has shown that having a physical therapist in the emergency department (ED) can help people with dizziness. Studies have found that this approach may improve dizziness symptoms over time. Specifically, patients reported feeling less dizzy after receiving physical therapy in the ED. Researchers measure this improvement using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory score, which tracks dizziness-related problems. Overall, early evidence suggests that ED physical therapy is a promising way to manage dizziness quickly and effectively.12356
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals experiencing dizziness when they visit the emergency department (ED) at two specific health systems. Participants must be eligible based on certain criteria that aren't specified here.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Planning and Preparation
Milestone-driven planning and preparation phase before the trial begins
Active Intervention
Embedded ED physical therapy intervention is conducted at the trial sites
Longitudinal Data Collection
Collection of longitudinal patient-reported outcome data and electronic health record data
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Embedded Emergency Department Physical Therapy
Trial Overview
The study tests if having a physical therapist in the ED can help with dizziness, compared to usual care without this immediate therapy. Patients are randomly chosen to get either the new approach or standard treatment and followed up for 12 months.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Usual care treatment for dizziness presenting in the emergency department (ED). Usual care consists of any ED testing or treatment not involving an ED physical therapist in accordance with the treating physician's usual and customary practice. This could include diagnostic imaging, patient education and resources, and administration and/or prescribing of medications.
We place a physical therapist directly in the emergency department to initiate timely care for patients with dizziness rather than waiting on an outpatient referral to physical therapy, which can often take weeks to accomplish, if ever at all. The actual techniques and approaches used by the embedded ED physical therapist in this study (e.g., exercises, maneuvers, coaching) are standard-of-care and do not involve investigational interventions, devices, or drugs.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Northwestern University
Lead Sponsor
University of Utah
Collaborator
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital
Collaborator
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Collaborator
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborator
Citations
Emergency Department Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy ...
The findings of this trial suggest that ED vestibular therapy is feasible and may improve patient-reported dizziness symptoms over time.
Study Details | NCT07225023 | A Multi-Site Feasibility Trial ...
This is a multi-site feasibility trial of an embedded emergency department (ED) physical therapy care model for dizziness at two EDs in the ...
Emergency Department Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy ...
The primary efficacy outcome was change in the Dizziness Handicap Inventory score; the secondary efficacy outcome was change in the ...
4.
researchgate.net
researchgate.net/publication/389008879_Emergency_Department_Vestibular_Rehabilitation_Therapy_for_Dizziness_and_Vertigo_A_Nonrandomized_Clinical_TrialEmergency Department Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy ...
The primary efficacy outcome was change in the Dizziness Handicap Inventory score; the secondary efficacy outcome was change in the ...
5.
ctv.veeva.com
ctv.veeva.com/study/a-multi-site-feasibility-trial-of-embedded-emergency-department-physical-therapy-for-dizzinessA Multi-Site Feasibility Trial of Embedded Emergency ...
This is a multi-site feasibility trial of an embedded emergency department (ED) physical therapy care model for dizziness at two EDs in the ...
6.
implementationsciencecomms.biomedcentral.com
implementationsciencecomms.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s43058-022-00313-2Implementing specialised vestibular physiotherapy in an ...
This study aimed to evaluate the process of implementing specialised vestibular physiotherapy (SPV) in an emergency department from the clinician's perspective.
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