Move sooner, heal faster? new study tests early PT after neck surgery
NCT ID NCT06202443
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether starting physical therapy soon after neck surgery (ACDF) helps people recover better than waiting. About 76 adults who had surgery for a worn-down neck will be split into two groups: one starts PT right away, the other later. Researchers will measure pain, disability, and function to see which group does better.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 76 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
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
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
4 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Booke Army Medical Center
RECRUITINGFort Sam Houston, Texas, 78234, United States
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Madigan Army Medical Center
RECRUITINGTacoma, Washington, 98431, United States
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Tripler Army Medical Center
RECRUITINGHonolulu, Hawaii, 96859, United States
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
RECRUITINGNashville, Tennessee, 37203, United States
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