Swimming-Based Rehabilitation for Recovery After Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion

NCT07596238 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: TVGH-SWIM-2025
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 124
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of a structured swimming-based rehabilitation program in patients undergoing thoracolumbar spinal fusion. Postoperative rehabilitation after spinal fusion varies widely, and evidence supporting specific exercise strategies remains limited. In this prospective observational cohort study, patients undergoing thoracolumbar spinal fusion are allocated to either a structured swimming-based rehabilitation program or a standard rehabilitation program. The swimming program is initiated 6 to 8 weeks after surgery and is performed three times per week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in functional disability as measured by the Oswestry Disability Index at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale and quality of life assessed using the Short Form-36 questionnaire. The results of this study aim to determine whether structured aquatic exercise can improve functional recovery, reduce pain, and enhance quality of life following thoracolumbar spinal fusion.

Conditions

Spinal Fusion; Postoperative Recovery; Low Back Pain; Rehabilitation

Keywords

Aquatic exercise; Swimming; Spinal fusion rehabilitation; Oswestry Disability Index; VAS pain score; Quality of life; Postoperative rehabilitation; Thoracolumbar spine

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

  The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) assesses functional disability, with scores ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate greater disability. The outcome measure is the change in ODI from baseline to 12 weeks after initiation of rehabilitation.

  Baseline to 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Baseline to 12 weeks

• Quality of Life Measured by Short Form-36 (SF-36)

  Baseline to 12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Swimming Rehabilitation

Patients undergoing structured swimming-based rehabilitation initiated 6-8 weeks after thoracolumbar spinal fusion, performed three sessions per week for 12 weeks.

Behavioral: Swimming-Based Rehabilitation

Standard Rehabilitation

Patients undergoing standard land-based postoperative rehabilitation including ambulation training, core strengthening, and flexibility exercises.

Behavioral: Standard Rehabilitation

Interventions

Swimming-Based Rehabilitation BEHAVIORAL

Structured aquatic exercise program initiated 6-8 weeks after thoracolumbar spinal fusion, performed three sessions per week for 12 weeks, including warm-up, swimming, and cool-down exercises.

Swimming Rehabilitation

Standard Rehabilitation BEHAVIORAL

Conventional land-based postoperative rehabilitation including ambulation training, core stabilization, and flexibility exercises with similar frequency and duration.

Standard Rehabilitation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients undergoing thoracolumbar spinal fusion at Tra Vinh General Hospital, Vietnam, who meet eligibility criteria and are followed prospectively for postoperative rehabilitation outcomes.

You may qualify if:

• Patients aged 18 years or older
• Patients undergoing thoracolumbar spinal fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation
• Patients able to participate in rehabilitation programs
• Patients who provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with severe neurological deficits preventing rehabilitation
• Patients with severe cardiopulmonary comorbidities contraindicating exercise
• Patients with postoperative complications requiring reoperation
• Patients unable to follow the rehabilitation protocol

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tra Vinh General Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tra Vinh General Hospital

Vĩnh Long, Vinh Long, 890000, Vietnam

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Waller B, Lambeck J, Daly D. Therapeutic aquatic exercise in the treatment of low back pain: a systematic review. Clin Rehabil. 2009 Jan;23(1):3-14. doi: 10.1177/0269215508097856.

  PMID: 19114433 BACKGROUND

• Rainville J, Hartigan C, Martinez E, Limke J, Jouve C, Finno M. Exercise as a treatment for chronic low back pain. Spine J. 2004 Jan-Feb;4(1):106-15. doi: 10.1016/s1529-9430(03)00174-8.

  PMID: 14749199 BACKGROUND

• Mannion AF, Elfering A. Predictors of surgical outcome and their assessment. Eur Spine J. 2006 Jan;15 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S93-108. doi: 10.1007/s00586-005-1045-9. Epub 2005 Dec 1.

  PMID: 16320033 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Back Pain; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Neurosurgeon

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 12, 2026
• First Posted: May 19, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

VN (1)