Figure 3

Physical therapy intervention timeline. Participants randomized to the physical therapy arm are offered a high dose, individually-tailored exercise program by physical therapists. A total of 15 individual 60-minute sessions over the course of the initial 12-week Treatment Phase is offered. Each session is divided into approximately 30 minutes of working directly with a physical therapist followed by up to 30 minutes of a supervised aerobic exercise routine. The first visit consists of an initial comprehensive evaluation for classification. Participants re-randomized at 12 weeks into a structured physical therapy maintenance program are offered five booster sessions scheduled at months 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. The structure and content of booster sessions is similar to the Treatment Phase where therapists classify patients according to the Treatment Based Classification algorithm, review home practice, assess progress with the Modified Oswestry, review and perform recommended exercises, and provide encouragement and guidance for further home practice. PT participants randomized into the no maintenance (a.k.a. home practice) group do not receive booster sessions; however, they are encouraged to continue with their home practice exercises.