The Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (AOPT) has awarded the 2024 Rose Excellence in Research Award to an outstanding team of researchers, including several esteemed faculty members from Duke University. This prestigious award recognizes the Best Research Article of the Year in orthopaedic physical therapy and this year, the accolade goes to Gregory E. Hicks, PT, PhD, FAPTA, FGSA, Steven Z. George, PT, PhD, FAPTA, and Corey B. Simon, DPT, PhD, along with their co-authors Jenifer M. Pugliese, MPT, Peter C. Coyle, PT, DPT, PhD, J. Megan Sions, PT, PhD, DPT, Sara Piva, PhD, PT, Joseph Kakyomya, MS, and Charity G. Patterson, PhD, MSPH, for their groundbreaking study “Hip-focused physical therapy versus spine-focused physical therapy for older adults with chronic low back pain at risk for mobility decline (MASH): A multicenter, single-masked, randomized controlled trial,” published in Lancet Rheumatology in January 2024.
This award recognizes research that has the potential to significantly and lastingly impact orthopaedic physical therapy. The research team’s work is a testament to the importance of collaborative, interdisciplinary research in advancing the field and improving patient outcomes. Other award-winning articles have been published in journals such as the Annals of Internal Medicine, Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, JAMA, and the New England Journal of Medicine.
A Trailblazing Study on Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults
The MASH study (Mobility and Spine/Hip-focused therapy) focused on older adults who suffer from chronic low back pain (CLBP) and co-occurring hip pain and muscle weakness. Previous research by the team revealed that individuals with both low back and hip pain exhibited poorer long-term functional and pain-related outcomes than those with only low back pain. This suggested that this population is at increased risk for future mobility decline.
The study aimed to assess whether tailored, hip-focused physical therapy would yield better outcomes in reducing pain and functional limitations compared to spine-focused physical therapy in this high-risk group.
Research Collaboration Across Institutions
This pivotal study was a collaborative effort between several prestigious institutions, including:
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke School of Medicine
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh
Their combined expertise helped create a robust, multicenter, single-masked, randomized controlled trial, which took place at three research-based sites in the United States.
The results of this study are a significant step forward in treating chronic low back pain in older adults. By focusing on the hip in addition to the spine, the research team has challenged traditional approaches and opened the door for more comprehensive, targeted interventions that can enhance mobility and quality of life in an aging population. This research has the potential to shift clinical practice by encouraging healthcare providers to consider more holistic, individualized treatment strategies for patients with co-occurring hip and back pain.
Congratulations to the research team!