Actively Recruiting
Rehabilitation With Empowered STrategies to Optimize REcovery After Spine Surgery
Led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Updated on 2026-06-01
100
Participants Needed
4
Research Sites
26 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
V
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Lead Sponsor
U
United States Department of Defense
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the effects of a remotely delivered behavioral intervention called Empowered Relief in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. This phase II randomized controlled trial aims to determine if Empowered Relief, given early after back surgery, can improve postoperative outcomes compared to a remotely delivered education session. The study also investigates how changes in pain catastrophizing relate to recovery and whether preoperative pain catastrophizing influences treatment response. Participants will be randomly assigned before surgery to one of two groups: a single remotely delivered group session of Empowered Relief, which focuses on pain neuroscience education and coping skills, or a single remotely delivered group education session about managing pain and recovery after back surgery. Both sessions are conducted online by licensed healthcare professionals. Participants will complete surveys before surgery and again at 3 and 6 months after surgery to assess outcomes such as pain interference, physical function, disability, pain intensity, and opioid use. Outcome assessments are done by evaluators who do not know the group assignments. Overall, the study will help advance research on non-drug remote strategies to improve quality of life after spine surgery in civilian and military patients.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Rehabilitation With Empowered STrategies to Optimize REcovery
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Scheduled for lumbar degenerative condition surgery using laminectomy with or without fusion
- English speaking
- Aged between 18 and 85 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Surgery due to trauma, fracture, tumor, infection, or spinal deformity
- Revision surgery
- Lumbar spine surgery in the past 12 months
- Involved in litigation or workers' compensation claim related to injury
- Currently receiving cancer treatment
- No reliable internet connection
- Unable to provide stable telephone or physical address
- Unable to participate in follow-up assessments for 6 months after surgery
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit
Duration - 1 session before surgery
Participants attend a single remotely delivered group session with either behavioral strategies or educational information to support recovery after spine surgery.
1 remote group session
Duration - 6 months after surgery
Participants complete outcome assessments conducted by evaluators blinded to group assignment to evaluate pain interference, physical function, disability, pain intensity, and opioid use after surgery.
2 visits at 3 months and 6 months post-surgery
Trial Site Locations
Total: 4 locations
1
Tripler Army Medical Center
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 96859
Not Yet Recruiting
2
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37203
Actively Recruiting
3
Brooke Army Medical Center
Fort Sam Houston, Texas, United States, 78234
Not Yet Recruiting
4
Madigan Army Medical Center
Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, United States, 98431
Not Yet Recruiting
Research Team
K
Kristin Archer, PhD
A
Amanda Priest
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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