Physiotherapist-led care for musculoskeletal conditions in the emergency department (RESHAP-ED): a…

Randomized trialLancet (London, England)· Aug 2026

Physiotherapist-led care for musculoskeletal conditions in the emergency department (RESHAP-ED): a randomised controlled trial with economic evaluation.

Chathurani Sigera, Tarcisio F de Campos, Danielle M Coombs … RESHAP-ED Investigators

Musculoskeletal RehabilitationRandomized trialClinical practiceQ1IF 13.9

Physiotherapist-led emergency department care cut length of stay by about an hour

Physiotherapist-led care for musculoskeletal conditions in the emergency department (RESHAP-ED): a randomised controlled trial with economic evaluation.

Chathurani Sigera … RESHAP-ED Investigators

Lancet (London, England) · Aug 2026 · Q1 in General Medicine

Background

Long stays in the emergency department compromise patient safety and health system performance.

Methods

Were randomly assigned (1:1), using statistician-generated randomly permuted blocks, to either physiotherapist-led care (intervention) or usual physician-led or nurse practitioner-led care (control).

n = 4219 patients

-1·0 h

Results

-1·0 h

physiotherapist-led care shortened ED stays versus usual care

n = 4219 patients

More results

Follow-up for the primary outcome was 100% complete.

“

Conclusion

A physiotherapist-led model of care in the emergency department reduced length of stay among patients presenting with uncomplicated musculoskeletal conditions, without compromising health outcomes or safety, and was cost-effective.

Physiotherapist-led care for musculoskeletal conditions in the emergency department (RESHAP-ED): a randomised controlled trial with economic evaluation.

Physiotherapist-led care for musculoskeletal conditions in the emergency department (RESHAP-ED): a randomised controlled trial with economic evaluation.

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