Feasibility, Acceptability and Modification of a Post-surgical Telehealth Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Enhance Recovery After Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Prospective Intervention Study.
Carrie E Brintz, Erin Connors Kelly, Geneva Polser, Bethany A Rhoten, Michelle Foote Pearce, Rogelio A Coronado, Roisin O'Donnell, Shannon Block, Amanda Priest, Rishabh Gupta, Sarah T Whitaker, Stephen Bruehl, Byron F Stephens, Amir M Abtahi, Jacob Schwarz, Scott L Zuckerman, Benjamin French, Kristin R Archer
Global advances in integrative medicine and health 2025 DOI: 10.1177/27536130251344843 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective, mixed-methods, single-arm cohort study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Adults undergoing lumbar spine surgery for a degenerative condition at an academic medical center |
| Duration | 8 weekly sessions within 4 weeks after surgery; measurements preoperatively, 2 weeks and 3 months postoperatively |
| Measures | intervention satisfaction questionnaire, exit interview, patient-reported disability, pain, depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, self-efficacy, perceived stress, dispositional mindfulness |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Chronic pain Post-surgical pain Psychosocial intervention Spine surgery Telemedicine |
| Key findings | The telehealth MBI was feasible and acceptable, with high session attendance (80% completed) and home practice (median 95% of days). Most participants reported improvements in disability and pain at or above minimal clinically important differences at 3 months postoperatively, along with improvements in most psychosocial factors. |
Abstract
People who undergo lumbar spine surgery experience variable pain, disability, and quality of life outcomes. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are recommended for chronic low back pain and may be an effective approach for surgical patients. Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth MBI following lumbar spine surgery and refine the intervention for optimal delivery. This was a prospective, mixed-methods, single-arm cohort study with measurements preoperatively and 2 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. Participants were adults undergoing lumbar spine surgery for a degenerative condition at an academic medical center. A telehealth MBI was delivered one-on-one within 4 weeks after surgery and consisted of 8 weekly sessions modeled after Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain. Outcomes were feasibility (enrollment rate, retention, session attendance, homework completion), acceptability (intervention satisfaction questionnaire and exit interview); and pre- to 3-month postoperative improvements in patient-reported disability, pain, and psychosocial factors including depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, self-efficacy, perceived stress, and dispositional mindfulness. Fifteen participants who received a laminectomy (n = 3) or fusion with (n = 9)/without (n = 3) laminectomy initiated the MBI. Enrollment (35%) and retention (80%) rates were lower than hypothesized, but participants had high levels of session attendance (80% completed) and home practice (median = 95% days assigned). The MBI was perceived as highly acceptable on the satisfaction questionnaire and exit interviews. Most participants reported improvements at or above established minimal clinically important differences for disability and pain at 3 months postoperatively and improvements in most psychosocial factors. Themes from exit interviews informed future modifications to the intervention. Delivery of an 8-session, one-on-one, telehealth MBI to patients after lumbar spine surgery is feasible and acceptable and patients perceive meaningful benefits to their surgical recovery from the MBI. Results support fully powered randomized controlled trials to determine longer-term post-surgical effects of the MBI.