Telerehabilitation After Spine Surgery

August 27, 2026 updated by: Kuopio University Hospital

Telerehabilitation as a Method of Rehabilitation Instructions After Spinal Decompression Surgery

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to assess how different methods of delivering post-operative instructions affect the participants' recovery after spinal decompression surgery. In addition, the investigators evaluate the related healthcare costs and the use of healthcare services in both working-age and elderly populations. The main research questions of the study are:

  1. Does the method or timing of post-operative information influence healthcare utilization or recovery after surgery?
  2. Are telerehabilitation methods easily accessible and usable for the elderly population?
  3. Does early intervention provided in the hospital lead to different recovery times after surgery?

The outcome measures include pain levels, daily activity levels, and healthcare utilization. The results will be compared between study groups based on the information delivery method and age group.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
300

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Finland
      • Kuopio, Finland
        • Recruiting
        • Kuopio University Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Jannina Koponen
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Janne Pesonen

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • One-level spinal condition requiring decompression surgery
  • Working-age group: 20-65 years; Elderly group 65-85 years
  • Willing to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Malignant disease under active treatment
  • Other disease affecting spine (for example ankylosing disease or vertebral fracture)
  • Opioid or other substance dependancy

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Working-aged spinal decompression, one-level, ppt
Patient receives physiotherapy personally after surgery while leaving hospital
Procedure: Physiotherapy after surgery, personal
Physiotherapist gives the patient rehabilitation instructions after surgery when the subject leaves hospital
Experimental: Working-aged spinal decompression, one-level, tele
Patient receives telerehabilitation personally after surgery 5-7 days
Procedure: Telerehabilitation method
Rehabilitation instrucions given by physiotherapist 4-7 days after surgery with remote telerehabilitation method
Placebo Comparator: Working-aged spinal decompression, one-level, nurse
Patient receives nurse's instructions personally after surgery while leaving hospital
Procedure: Nurse instructions
Nurse gives the patient rehabilitation instructions after surgery when the subject leaves hospital
Experimental: Elderly spinal decompression, one-level, tele
Patient receives telerehabilitation personally after surgery 5-7 days
Procedure: Telerehabilitation method
Rehabilitation instrucions given by physiotherapist 4-7 days after surgery with remote telerehabilitation method
Experimental: Elderly spinal decompression patient, one-level, hpt
Patient receives physiotherapy personally after surgery at hospital outpatient clinic
Procedure: Hospital physioterapy
Physiotherapist gives the patient rehabilitation instructions at the hospital outpatient clinic after 4-7 days post-operatively
Active Comparator: Elderly spinal decompression patient, one-level, ppt
Patient receives physiotherapy personally after surgery when leaving the
Procedure: Physiotherapy after surgery, personal
Physiotherapist gives the patient rehabilitation instructions after surgery when the subject leaves hospital

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pain after surgery
Time Frame: From enrollment to 1 year
Pain level / numerical rating scale, range 0-10 where 0 is no pain and 10 is most severe pain imaginable
From enrollment to 1 year
Function after surgery
Time Frame: From enrollment and surgery to 12months after surgery

Function/disability after surgery: investigators assess participants' function and disability by Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). RMDQ is a 24-item self-report questionnaire about how low-back pain affects functional activities.

Each question is worth one point so scores can range from 0 (no disability) to 24 (severe disability).
From enrollment and surgery to 12months after surgery
Disability after surgery (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI)
Time Frame: From enrollment to 12 months after surgery

Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a tool used to assess the impact of low back pain on daily functioning. It consists of a questionnaire with 10 questions that evaluate various aspects of daily activities, such as movement, sitting, standing, and sleeping. Each question is scored on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 indicates no restrictions and 5 indicates significant restrictions. The total score is calculated by summing the scores from the questions, and the higher the score, the greater the impact of the condition on daily life.

Common interpretation ranges include: 0-20 Normal or minimal disability; 21-40 Moderate disability; 41-60 Severe disability; 61-80 Disability that significantly restricts daily activities; 81-100 Bed bound or symptoms may be exaggerated
From enrollment to 12 months after surgery

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Daily activity level after surgery
Time Frame: From enrollment to 1 year after operation
Daily amount of steps, as measured with Garmin wearable activity tracker. Investigatos get the steps taken per day from the device as well as activity index measured by the device.
From enrollment to 1 year after operation
Overall health
Time Frame: From enrollment to surgery and 12 months post-op
Overall health EuroQol 5D questionnaire: The descriptive system comprises five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. Each dimension has 5 levels: (1) no problems, (2) slight problems, (3) moderate problems, (4) severe problems and (5) extreme problems. Each category is measured by above levels independently. The 5 dimensions' points do not combine as a sum score.
From enrollment to surgery and 12 months post-op
Overall Health / EuroQol VAS
Time Frame: From enrollment to 12 months post-operative
The EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (EQ VAS) records the participant's self-rated health on a vertical visual analogue scale where the endpoints are labelled 'The best health you can imagine' and 'The worst health you can imagine'. The VAS can be used as a quantitative measure of health outcome that reflects the patient's own judgement. EQ VAS range is 0-100 where 0 represents worst health the participant can imagine and 100 best health imaginable
From enrollment to 12 months post-operative
Contacts to healthcare provider
Time Frame: From enrollment and surgery to 12months after surgery
How many times a participant needs to contact a healthcare provider
From enrollment and surgery to 12months after surgery
Satisfaction to treatment and post-op rehabilitation
Time Frame: From enrollment to 12 months post-op
Satisfaction to post-op rehabilitation, asked by questionnaire by multiple YES/NO questions about the surgery and recovery period. The questions include "I am satisfied to the outcome of the operation", "I would still undergo the operation if I was able to decide now", "The operation helped to my radiculopathy", "I am happy for the rehabilitation I received after the surgery", "The physiotherapy and rehabilitation advice has been sufficient after the surgery", ...
From enrollment to 12 months post-op
Function after operation
Time Frame: From enrollment to 12 months post-operative
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
From enrollment to 12 months post-operative
6-minute walking test
Time Frame: From enrollment and surgery to 12months after post-op
On elderly people's research arm, investigators assess participants' physical fitness with 6-minute walking test. Investigators observes and takes time when patient walks 6 minutes in a controlled setting and the total distance covered is measured (meters).
From enrollment and surgery to 12months after post-op
Timed up and go test (3 meters distance)
Time Frame: From enrollment and surgery to 12months after post-op

A 3-meter distance is marked on the floor, with sufficient free space at the end to allow the person to turn around with an assistive device (e.g. a rollator). The front legs of the chair are positioned immediately behind the starting line. The test is performed while wearing shoes.

The person being tested sits in the chair with their back against the backrest and their arms resting on the armrests. If necessary, a mobility aid may be kept within reach and ready for use. When the tester gives the starting command ("Ready - go"), the person stands up, walks at a comfortable and safe pace beyond the line marking the 3-meter distance, ensuring that both feet cross the line, turns around, walks back, and sits down in the chair.

The time is measured to the nearest 0.01 seconds. The tester starts the timer with the command "Go." The timer is stopped when the person being tested has sat back down in the chair, with their buttocks touching the seat.
From enrollment and surgery to 12months after post-op
Walking speed
Time Frame: From enrollment and surgery to 12 months postoperatively
Tested on elderly participants' arm. A 4-meter starting line and finish line are marked on the floor with tape. The test begins from a standing position behind the starting line and ends when the participant's body crosses the finish line. After the command "Go," the participant walks the marked distance twice at their usual pace, and the third time the participant walks the distance more as quickly as possible. The walking time is measured for all three trials to the nearest 0.01 seconds. The tester starts the timer with the command "Go." The timer is stopped when the participant's body crosses the finish line. From these the average is calclulated (m/s)
From enrollment and surgery to 12 months postoperatively
Grip strength
Time Frame: From enrollment and surgery through 12 months postoperatively

On elderly participants' arm, maximum grip strength is measured using a hand dynamometer. During the test, the participant grips the dynamometer handle firmly, gradually increasing the force throughout the trial until maximum grip strength is reached. Each grip is maintained for 3-5 seconds. The position of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints must remain unchanged throughout the trial.

The measurement unit is kilograms (kg), as indicated on the outermost scale of the dynamometer display. After the grip is released, the needle remains at the maximum value reached during the trial. Before each subsequent grip, the display is reset to zero using the screw located in the center of the display.
From enrollment and surgery through 12 months postoperatively
Balance
Time Frame: From enrollment and surgery through 12 months postoperatively

Measured on elderly participants' arm: Balance is assessed in three different positions: feet together, in a semi-tandem stance, and in a tandem stance. The participant may use a nearby table for support while positioning their feet into the required test position. Once the position has been achieved, the participant is instructed to release their hands from the support, after which the tester starts the timer.

The time is measured to the nearest 0.01 seconds. The tester starts the timer with the command "Go." The timer is stopped after 10 seconds have elapsed or if the participant's feet move out of the required test position or if they use their hands for support.
From enrollment and surgery through 12 months postoperatively

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Kuopio University Hospital

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Director: Janne Pesonen, MD, PhD, Kuopio University Hospital; Department of Rehabilitation

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
November 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 1, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 5, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 27, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 31, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 31, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 27, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • KUH5960456

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

European Union Data Protection Regulations are very strict. Also, ethical committee prevents the data sharing unless absolutely necessary, and on which occasion the data request must be independently assessed

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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