Graduate Studentships - Nora Bakaa

Graduate Studentships - Nora Bakaa

Nora Bakaa, RS PhD Candidate

Project Titles: Feasibility of a Presurgical Rehabilitation Program for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Supervisor: Dr. Luciana Macedo

Brief Overview and Progress to Date

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) is associated with significant functional decline and is the most common reason for lumbar spine surgery among older adults. However, as many as onethird of individuals undergoing lumbar spine surgery continue to have long-term pain and disability post-operatively. Identifying and implementing strategies to address modifiable risk factors prior to surgery may improve success with postoperative outcomes. Therefore, the proposed study will aim to evaluate the feasibility of an e-health presurgical rehabilitation (prehab) for individuals scheduled for LSS surgery. This study will include a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), with 60 patients randomized 1:1 to prehab or minimal intervention, that will be assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and six and 12 months post-operatively; and qualitative interviews (12-15 individuals from the prehab program) conducted at the same time points. Prehab will include an eight-week exercise and educational program that will be delivered virtually by an experienced clinician, with a booster session at six weeks post-op. The minimal intervention group will receive the educational content and undergo usual care as per standard practice. We will include feasibility outcomes (e.g., recruitment/follow-up rates, adherence, acceptability of the program/questionnaires) with pre-identified thresholds. The qualitative interviews will explore changes in outcomes over time and experiences with the program. The outcomes of this study will provide insight into the post-surgical recovery and will inform the development of a user-centered prehab program.

With the support of the IPRC, I have been able to present my work at international conferences for back pain research. Additionally, I have been able to expand my network and work with researchers from the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Toronto.