Can mindfulness and acupuncture boost spine surgery recovery? small study says maybe
NCT ID NCT06429072
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tested whether adding mindfulness training and acupuncture to standard education helps people recover after spine surgery. Fifty adults undergoing single-level fusion, discectomy, or laminectomy were randomly assigned to either the combined program or education alone. The main goal was to see if the program was feasible and acceptable, not whether it actually improves outcomes. Participants used a smartphone app for mindfulness modules and could attend up to 8 acupuncture sessions.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Mindfulness training and acupuncture
- What this could lead to
- If this approach proves feasible and acceptable, it could lead to a larger trial testing whether combining mindfulness and acupuncture improves recovery and quality of life after spine surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study (50 people) focused on feasibility, not effectiveness. Results may not apply to all spine surgery patients, and the added time and effort of the program might not be acceptable to everyone.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Duke Sports Science Institute
Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States
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