SSR - Studies

SSR - Spine Surgery Recovery

Studies

Comparative Effectiveness of Postoperative Management for Degenerative Spinal Conditions

NCT02184143
Funded by: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
Primary Investigator: Kristin R. Archer, PhD, DPT

This study will compare which of two treatments provided by telephone - Changing Behavior through Physical Therapy (CBPT) or Education - is more effective for improving outcomes in patients following back surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to the CBPT Program or Education Program following surgery. Programs consist of six weekly telephone sessions with a trained physical therapist. Participants will be followed for 12 months after surgery. The results of this study will provide evidence-based programs that clinicians can recommend, and patients can do, after back surgery to improve outcomes.

You are eligible for this study if:

  • You are having back surgery for a degenerative condition, such as spinal stenosis
  • Your back surgery is going to be a laminectomy or a fusion
  • You have had back and/or leg pain for longer than 3 months

The effect of a yoga intervention on outcomes following spine surgery

Funded by: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Primary Investigator: Kristin R. Archer, PhD, DPT

This study will examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a yoga program in patients following back surgery. The Yoga Program consists of six weekly sessions with a yoga teacher. Sessions will be conducted though the Internet using a video conferencing program such as Skype or FaceTime. Participants will be followed for 6 months after surgery. The results of this study will demonstrate the feasibility of using a telehealth yoga approach to rehabilitation following back surgery.

You are eligible for this study if:

  • You are having back surgery for a degenerative condition, such as spinal stenosis
  • Your back surgery is going to be a laminectomy or a fusion
  • You have had back and/or leg pain for longer than 3 months

The effect of an early home exercise program on outcomes following cervical spine surgery

Funded by: Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) and APTA, Orthopaedic Section
Primary Investigator: Kristin R. Archer, PhD, DPT

This study will examine the feasibility and effectiveness of an early home exercise program (HEP) in patients following neck surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to the early HEP or usual care (standard physician recommendations and advice). The HEP includes exercises to decrease pain and promote physical activity. Exercises include daily walking, deep breathing, neck and upper body motion and strengthening, and stabilization for the neck and back. The HEP starts immediately after surgery and exercises are performed daily for 6 weeks. A HEP manual is provided with details for each exercise. Participants will be followed for 12 months after surgery. The results of this study will help determine whether early self-directed exercise is beneficial for patients after neck surgery.

You are eligible for this study if:

  • You are having neck surgery for a degenerative condition, such as spinal stenosis
  • Your neck surgery is going to be an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion