A Multi-Site Feasibility Trial of Embedded Emergency Department Physical Therapy for Dizziness at Two Hospital EDs

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a new approach to care for patients experiencing dizziness in the emergency department (ED). This multi-site feasibility trial compares placing a physical therapist directly in the ED to start care immediately versus the usual care where patients might wait for outpatient therapy. The study aims to assess the ability to enroll patients, deliver the intervention properly, and collect patient outcome data over time. The trial will take place at two hospital EDs, each randomly assigned to either the embedded physical therapy intervention or usual care. The intervention involves a physical therapist providing standard exercises, maneuvers, and coaching directly in the ED during patient visits from 8am to 8pm. Usual care consists of typical ED tests and treatments without physical therapy involvement. A third hospital will contribute baseline data but will not enroll participants. The active intervention phase lasts 9 months, followed by 12 months of ongoing data collection. Participants will be adults 18 years or older who visit the ED with dizziness during the specified hours and speak English or Spanish. Researchers will collect surveys from participants over 12 months to measure dizziness impact and retention rates, along with electronic health record data on therapy adoption, care fidelity, and healthcare use. Clinician feedback on the intervention’s acceptability and feasibility will also be gathered before and after the study period. The total study duration for each participant includes the 9-month intervention and 12-month follow-up.

A Multi-Site Feasibility Trial of Embedded Emergency Department Physical Therapy for Dizziness