Physical Activity Intervention for Patients Following Lumbar Spine Surgery

There is a critical need to target physical activity during postoperative management to optimize long-term recovery after lumbar spine surgery. The overall objective of this study is to conduct a two-group randomized control trial (RCT) to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a physical activity telehealth intervention delivered by a physical therapist for improving disability, physical function, pain, and physical activity compared to usual care after spine surgery for a degenerative lumbar condition. The physical activity intervention will include wearable technology and remote physical therapist support to counsel patients on a realistic progression of physical activity (steps per day). The central hypothesis is that this 8-week physical activity intervention performed at two weeks after surgery will be feasible and acceptable. The results of our randomized trial will be used to support a large multi-site clinical trial to test the effectiveness and implementation of this intervention