Rehabilitation program to improve walking in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

Effectiveness of a 6-week Specific Rehabilitation Program Combining Education and Exercises on Walking Capacity in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Neurogenic Claudication

NA · Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières · NCT05513326

This study tests if a 6-week rehab program that includes exercises can help people with lumbar spinal stenosis walk better compared to just getting education.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment66 (estimated)
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversité du Québec à Trois-Rivières (other)
Locations1 site (Trois-Rivières, Quebec)
Trial IDNCT05513326 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week rehabilitation program that combines education and specific exercises for patients suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication. Participants in the intervention group will receive both education and exercises, while the control group will only receive education. The program will include four evaluation timepoints to assess walking capacity and other related outcomes such as pain intensity and disability. The primary measure of effectiveness will be the Self-Paced Walking Test.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 50 and older with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication who can walk at least 20 meters without assistance.

Not a fit: Patients with congenital lumbar spinal stenosis, significant osteoarthritis, or neurological diseases affecting walking capacity may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly enhance walking capacity and overall quality of life for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with rehabilitation programs for similar conditions, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* being at least 50 years old
* having a degenerative central LSS alone or in combination with other LSS types (e.g. foraminal, lateral) and/or a spondylolisthesis affecting one or multiple vertebral levels, confirmed by clinical history, physical examination and proper imaging
* having NC associated with LSS
* being able to speak and understand French
* being willing to attend 3 intervention sessions per week
* with a duration of signs and symptoms of at least 3 months
* (7) being able to walk at least 20 meters without walking aid, but not being able to walk continuously for 30 minutes
* being able to provide informed written consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* congenital LSS,
* symptomatic osteoarthritis (hip or knee) causing limited walking capacity
* neurological disease affecting walking capacity such as Parkinson
* uncontrolled diabetes
* heart failure
* intermittent claudication of vascular origin
* impaired cognitive capacity
* back or lower extremities surgery in the past 3 months

Where this trial is running

Trois-Rivières, Quebec

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Spinal Stenosis, Neurogenic claudication, Walking capacity, Exercises, Education, gait pattern characteristics

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.