Table 1 Time schedule of enrollment, interventions, and assessments

Time point

−t₁

0

t_1(post-eval)

t_{2(4 weeks)}

t_{3(12 weeks)}

t_{4(26 weeks)}

Enrollment

 Eligibility screen

X

 Informed consent

X

 Sociodemographic data

X

 Allocation

Stepped-wedge design: randomization according to time periods across all sites (3 steps of 6 weeks periods—2 sites switching to experimental arm at each step)

Interventions

 Usual ED physician care

 PT-led APP care

Assessments

 BPI

X

X

X

X

 Disability questionnaires (NDI, ODI, LEFS, quickDASH)

X

X

X

X

 EQ-5D-5L

X

X

X

X

 PHQ-9

X

 Numerical Pain Scale

X

 Standardized evaluation form (PT/MD)

X

 VSQ-9

X

 Health care resources utilization and health care costs:

  Treatment diary

  Patients’ medical file

X

X

X