Back pain can be disabling, limiting the ability to walk and to engage in physical activity. For patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, decompressive surgery often provides substantial pain relief and improved mobility. However, research has shown that even after successful surgery, most patients do not increase physical activity or walking. This is important because regular physical activity can help older adults prevent and manage chronic disease, delay functional decline, and maintain independence.
The goal of our study, called the Activity post Spinal Surgery Engagement Trial (ASSET), is to test whether a behavioral program can help patients become more physically active after spine surgery. The investigators have evaluated strategies to help people improve their physical activity after knee replacement surgery and would now like to understand whether these interventions are effective for patients undergoing spine surgery.
The intervention combines two approaches designed to motivate behavior change. Motivational interviewing invokes internal motivation, where patients work with a trained coach to recognize the importance of walking habits, prepare for change, and develop and implement an effective walking plan. External motivation is based on financial incentives, where patients receive small but concrete rewards for obtaining their physical activity goals.
The investigators want to test whether this intervention is better than simply providing patients with an activity tracker, so the study will randomly assign interested participants to one of two groups: the motivational interviewing and financial incentive intervention, or a control arm. All participants will receive a Fitbit activity monitor, and patients in the intervention group will also receive coaching sessions and financial incentives. This pilot study will help determine whether the program is acceptable to patients and whether it shows promise for improving physical activity after spine surgery.