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Recruiting NCT07636135

Timing of Rehabilitation Following Cervical Spinal Surgery in Degenerative Myelopathy

No phase Interventional Cervical Myelopathy

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Physical Therapy.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Cervical Myelopathy. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Canada
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Official title

Feasibility of Early Post-operative Rehabilitation Following Cervical Spinal Surgery in Degenerative Myelopathy

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether starting rehabilitation earlier after surgery can improve recovery and is feasible and acceptable for adults with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) undergoing cervical spine surgery. The main question it aims to answer is: Does starting rehabilitation earlier improve walking, balance, physical activity, quality of life, and nervous system function after surgery? Researchers will compare participants who begin rehabilitation two weeks after surgery with participants who begin rehabilitation six weeks after surgery to see if earlier rehabilitation leads to better recovery outcomes and participation. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to begin rehabilitation either two weeks or six weeks after surgery. Attend physical therapy sessions twice per week for eight weeks focused on strength, balance, and walking. Complete assessments of walking ability, balance, physical activity, quality of life, and nervous system function over several months after surgery. Provide feedback about their experience with the rehabilitation program, including satisfaction and any side effects or challenges related to participation.

Interventions

  • Behavioral Physical Therapy
    Active, task-specific physical therapy to enhance balance, walking, and strength

Primary outcome measures

  • Change from Baseline in the Ten Metre Walk Test [Time frame: Baseline and End Rehabilitation (8 weeks following Baseline)]
Secondary outcome measures (7)
  • Change from Baseline in the Six Minute Walk Test [Time frame: Baseline and End Rehabilitation (8 weeks following Baseline)]
  • Change from Baseline in the Timed Up and Go [Time frame: Baseline and End Rehabilitation (8 weeks following Baseline)]
  • Change from Baseline in the Berg Balance Scale [Time frame: Baseline and End Rehabilitation (8 weeks following Baseline)]
  • Change from Baseline on the 36-item Short Form Survey [Time frame: Baseline and End Rehabilitation (8 weeks following Baseline)]
  • Change from Admission to Study on the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale [Time frame: Study Admission and End of Study (12 weeks)]
  • Change from Baseline in Motor-Evoked Potentials [Time frame: Baseline and End Rehabilitation (8 weeks following Baseline)]
  • Change from Baseline in Hoffman Reflexes [Time frame: Baseline and End Rehabilitation (8 weeks following Baseline)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • adult (>18 years of age) with diagnosis of degenerative cervical myelopathy, within 2 weeks of spinal decompression surgery
  • plan to be discharged home from acute care (i.e., not admitted to another facility for post-operative rehabilitation)
  • able to stand with a maximum of one-person assist (+/- use of gait aid)
  • persistent functional impairment in lower extremity strength, balance, coordination, and/or gait
  • ability to attend an 8-week in-person rehabilitation program in Edmonton, Alberta

Exclusion criteria

  • discharge from acute care facility > 2 weeks post-operative
  • intra-operative or early post-operative complication delaying discharge or precluding participation in early rehabilitation

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single blind
Primary purpose
Treatment

Study locations

Canada · 1 center
  • University of Alberta — Edmonton

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07636135 · Pro00161798

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗