Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effectiveness of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy Versus Generalized Exercise for Reducing Pain in Surgeons With Chronic Spinal Pain
Not yet recruitingNot applicableNCT07293130
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This study has no listed site in Canada in this snapshot. It is included as part of the worldwide chronic pain corpus.
Brief summary (from the registry)
Surgeons frequently experience chronic spinal pain due to prolonged static postures and repetitive movements during surgical procedures. Exercise therapy is recommended, but it is unclear which type of exercise is most effective for this population. This randomized clinical trial will compare Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), also known as the McKenzie Method, with a structured program of generalized exercise in surgeons with chronic spinal pain who demonstrate a directional preference (i.e., movement in a specific direction that reduces symptoms). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two interventions and followed for 26 weeks. The primary outcome is spinal pain intensity at 12 weeks measured on a 0-10 scale. Secondary outcomes include function, quality of life, and psychological factors. This pragmatic trial is conducted in outpatient physiotherapy settings and aims to determine whether an individualized exercise approach (MDT) is more effective than generalized exercise in this occupational group.
Study details
- Official title
- Protocol for a Pragmatic, Randomized Controlled, Parallel-group Superiority Trial Comparing the Effectiveness of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy Versus Generalized Exercise for Reducing Pain in Surgeons With Chronic Spinal Pain and a Directional Preference
- Conditions
- Chronic Spinal Pain
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)
- Behavioral: Generalized Exercise
- Sponsor
- Claus Kjærgaard
- Collaborators
- Aalborg University
- Organization
- Aalborg University Hospital
- Start date
- 2026-03-30
- Primary completion
- 2027-09
- Sex
- All
- Age range
- from 25 Years to 70 Years
- Results posted
- No results posted in this snapshot
- Countries
- Denmark
- Total sites listed
- 1
Eligibility criteria
Show eligibility criteria (verbatim from the registry)
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 25-70 years * Currently working as a resident, fellow, or attending surgeon * Chronic spinal pain (low back, thoracic, or neck) lasting more than 3 months * Demonstrated directional preference on standardized clinical examination (i.e., movement in a specific direction reduces symptoms) * Sufficient proficiency in Danish to complete trial questionnaires * Willing and able to attend treatment sessions at designated physiotherapy clinics * Provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Serious spinal pathology (e.g., fracture, malignancy, infection, inflammatory disease) * Cauda equina syndrome * Significant neurological deficits requiring urgent medical attention * Any diagnosed medical condition preventing safe participation in physical activity * Sick leave longer than 6 months at baseline * Pregnancy or having given birth within the past 3 months * Scheduled for major surgery within the next 3 months * Current participation in structured physiotherapy or spinal interventions outside the trial protocol
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Library of Medicine), snapshot October 2026. Check the registry for current recruiting status. Record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07293130