Mindfulness via video calls may ease pain after back surgery
NCT ID NCT05698914
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This pilot study tested whether online mindfulness sessions could help people recover better after lumbar spine surgery. 67 adults who had their first back surgery were randomly assigned to either mindfulness training or education sessions over 8 weeks. The main goal was to see if the approach was practical and acceptable, and to check for early signs of benefit in pain, function, and mood.
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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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67 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2023
- Finished
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Jul 2025
- 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 years and older
- 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. English-speaking adults 2. Aged 18 years and older 3. Scheduled for a laminectomy and/or fusion at Vanderbilt Spine Center 4. Scheduled for their first lumbar spine surgery 5. Radiographic evidence of a degenerative condition including but not limited to spinal stenosis, spondylosis with or without myelopathy, and spondylolisthesis 6. Presence of back and/or lower extremity pain persisting for at least 3 months 7. Access to stable internet. 8. Able to participate in weekly, remote sessions with a study therapist for 8 weeks after surgery Exclusion Criteria: 1. Microsurgical technique as the primary procedure (i.e. isolated laminotomy or microdiscectomy) 2. Having surgery for the primary indication of a spinal deformity 3. Having surgery secondary to pseudarthrosis, trauma, infection, or tumor 4. Current/history of a primary psychotic or major thought disorder or hospitalization for reasons related to psychosis (e.g. Schizophrenia, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder). Medication-induced psychosis is not exclusionary. 5. Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia 6. Traumatic Brain Injury (greater than mild severity) 7. History of bipolar disorder or dissociative disorder 8. Active substance use disorder (in past month) 9. Current Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms (in past month) 10. Active suicidal ideation with intent
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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