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Function After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Surgery: Timing of Physical Therapy

Improving Surgical Outcomes With Early Physical Therapy After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Who can join

Ages 18 to 75 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* Surgical treatment of a cervical degenerative condition using a 1- or 2-level ACDF procedure;
* English speaking due to feasibility of employing study personnel to deliver and assess the study intervention; and
* Age 18-75 years of age (individuals older than 75 are more likely to experience respiratory and nervous system complications and death following ACDF)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Surgery secondary to trauma, fracture, tumor, infection, or spinal deformity;
* Undergoing cervical corpectomy;
* Prior history of cervical spine surgery in last 5 years;
* Diagnosis or presence of osteoporosis;
* Diagnosis or presence of severe psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder;
* Documented history of alcohol and/or drug abuse;
* Currently involved in litigation due to injury;
* Currently undergoing treatment for cancer;
* Patients not able to return for follow-up visits due to time and travel limitation or other reasons; and
* Unable to provide a stable telephone or physical address

About the study

The goal of this two-group randomized clinical trial is to examine the effects of early postoperative PT compared to delayed postoperative PT for improving outcomes after hospital discharge for ACDF surgery.

The main question this clinical trial aims to answer are:

* Whether early PT participants will demonstrate greater improvements in outcomes compared to delayed PT participants. * Whether improvements in handgrip strength, cervical endurance, and cervical range of motion will be associated with improvements in outcomes.

Participants will be randomized to one of two groups (early PT or delayed PT) and outcomes compared across groups.

What is being tested

• Early PT (other)
• Delayed PT (other)

Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Participants: 76 · Started: Feb 1, 2024

Contact the study team

• Amanda Priest · Phone: 615-421-8336

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06202443

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.