Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Conservative Care Versus Decompression Trial for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Pilot

56 participantsStarted 2026-02

Plain-language summary

This study is a pilot randomized clinical trial designed to test whether it is feasible to conduct a larger study comparing two standard treatments for mild degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can enough participants be recruited and successfully complete follow-up assessments? * Will participants adhere to their assigned treatment? Researchers will compare two groups: * Surgical group: Participants receive decompressive spine surgery (with or without fusion). * Conservative care group: Participants follow a structured program that includes education, fall prevention strategies, and tailored exercises. Participants will: * Complete baseline and follow-up assessments at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. * In the surgical group: undergo surgery within 12 weeks of randomization and receive standard post-operative care. * In the conservative care group: follow a 6-week progressive exercise program and continue self-management strategies. * Complete a monthly online symptom monitoring questionnaire

Who can participate

Age range18 Years

SexALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Show evidence of spinal cord compression between C2 and T1 on MRI or CT myelography conducted within 2 years of enrollment * Present with mild DCM defined as a score of 15-17 on the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical suspicion that myelopathic symptoms are exacerbated or caused by another neurologic condition (i.e. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, syringomyelia, peripheral neuropathy) * Demonstrate ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) * Previous cervical spine surgery * Report known or suspected tandem symptomatic thoracic or lumbar spinal stenosis * Present with an acute traumatic spinal cord injury (i.e., central cord syndrome) * Have a prior history of an acute spinal cord injury * Have spinal cord compression due to an infectious or oncologic process * Inflammatory arthritis * Significant active health-related comorbidity (ASA Class IV or higher) * English language ability insufficient to complete outcome questionnaires

What they're measuring

Consent proportion

Timeframe: Enrollment

Follow-up completion

Timeframe: 6 month follow-up

Adherence to intervention

Timeframe: 6 months after enrollment

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07358273

SponsorMcMaster University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-06

Contact for this trial

Sydney Research Coordinator

905-521-2100 maclesd@mcmaster.ca