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Timing of Physical Therapy After ACDF Surgery

This study is looking at the best time to start physical therapy (PT) after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) surgery. ACDF is a surgery to treat problems in your neck (cervical spine degeneration). Researchers want to see if starting PT within three months of surgery (early PT) helps more than starting it after three months (delayed PT). They will compare how much your disability improves at 6 and 12 months after you leave the hospital. You can join if you are 18-75 years old, speak English, and are having 1- or 2-level ACDF surgery. The study is currently recruiting 76 participants.

Study design
This is a randomized study with 76 participants. You would be randomly assigned to either the early PT or delayed PT group.
What's involved
You would complete a questionnaire before surgery and then have PT scheduled. You would also have follow-up visits at approximately 3, 6, and 12 months after leaving the hospital.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 12 months after hospital discharge.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06202443

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

Recruiting
NAAges 18–75InterventionalTreatment
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
~76 participants
Updated 2026-02-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Early PTDelayed PT

At a glance

Recruiting sites
4 of 4 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Disability
Measured over 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge

Conditions

Cervical Spine Degeneration
ACDF Surgery

Explore related trials

Cervical Disc Degenerative Disorder

Where it's being run

4 sites across 4 states
Hawaii1
Tennessee1
Texas1
Washington1

Study leadership

  • Kristin Archer, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Who to contact

Amanda Priest
[email protected]
615-421-8336
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

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

What this trial measures

  • Disability6 and 12 months after hospital discharge

    Neck Disability Index, 0-100 with higher scores indicating increased disability