Timing of Rehabilitation Following Cervical Spinal Surgery in Degenerative Myelopathy (NCT07636135) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Timing of Rehabilitation Following Cervical Spinal Surgery in Degenerative Myelopathy
20 participantsStarted 2026-06-15
Plain-language summary
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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change from Baseline in the Ten Metre Walk Test
Timeframe: Baseline and End Rehabilitation (8 weeks following Baseline)