Essential Amino Acid Supplementation in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients
United States20 participantsStarted 2026-05-01
Plain-language summary
This will be a randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial to determine if supplementing with essential amino acids (EAAs) for two weeks prior to, and 3 months after corrective spinal surgery in adults with spinal deformity can stimulate greater muscle protein turnover and whole-body protein balance, and enhance recovery after surgery when compared to a calorie matched placebo.
Who can participate
Age range40 Years – 65 Years
SexALL
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Inclusion Criteria:
* Males and Females, 40 to 65 years old
* Diagnosed with adult spinal deformity
* Scheduled for ASD corrective procedure at UAMS (\>2 weeks prior to surgery)
* Live near Little Rock and scheduled to attend physical therapy in Little Rock
* COVID-19 negative and/ or asymptomatic
Exclusion Criteria:
* Subject who does not/will not eat animal protein sources.
* Diagnosed metabolic or hormonal disease (i.e., renal, cardiovascular, thyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome, or type I/II diabetes mellitus).
* Currently pregnant.
* Gave birth or was lactating within previous 12 months.
* History of chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer in the 6 months prior to enrollment.
* Clinically significant weight gain or loss (\>5% change) in the last 12 months.
* Consuming metabolism-altering drugs or medications (i.e., corticosteroids, stimulants, insulin).
* Diagnosis of autoimmune disease
* Currently receiving androgen (e.g., testosterone) or anabolic (e.g., GH, IGF-I) therapy.
* Diagnosis of muscular degenerative/dystrophy disease
* Unwilling to fast overnight.
* Unwilling to avoid using other protein or amino-acid supplements during participation.