Preventing pain after spinal surgery

PREventing Pain After Surgery: a Feasibility and Acceptability Study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the Prevention of Chronic Post-surgical Pain (PREPS)

Not applicable Interventional Brigham and Women's Hospital · NCT05306665

This study is testing a short therapy program before spinal surgery to see if it can help prevent long-lasting pain and reduce the need for opioids afterward.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment140 (estimated)
Ages22 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBrigham and Women's Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT05306665 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to adapt a brief presurgical Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention to prevent chronic post-surgical pain and reduce long-term opioid use following lumbar spine surgery. The intervention's acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy will be assessed six months after surgery. Additionally, the study will explore psychosocial and psychophysical factors that may influence the effectiveness of the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 22 and older scheduled for specific spinal surgeries such as fusion or discectomy.

Not a fit: Patients with cognitive impairments, previous spinal surgeries, or specific spinal conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of chronic pain and reliance on opioids after spinal surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is gaining traction, this specific adaptation for preventing chronic pain post-surgery is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* scheduled to undergo fusion, discectomy, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, or foraminotomy
* age 22 and older
* able to communicate fluently in English

Exclusion Criteria:

* inability to complete study procedures due to delirium, dementia, psychosis, or other cognitive impairment
* have a history of severe neurologic movement disorder
* are pregnant or intent to become pregnant during study
* have undergone previous spinal surgery
* have spinal deformity, pseudarthrosis, trauma, infection, or tumor as primary indication for surgery
* have undergone Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in last 2 years

Where this trial is running

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pain, BackSpinal StenosisDisc HerniationSpondylosisSpondylolisthesisBack InjuriesChronic painSurgery
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.