The Confounding Burden of Psychological Impairments in Cervical Spine Surgery

Psychologically symptomatic patients will then be randomized to 4-8 weeks of placebo phone calls (Group PS-PL-Sx) or 4-8 weeks of cognitive behavior therapy treatment (PS-CBT-Sx) based on a 1:1 randomization ratio. Subjects randomized to receive CBT before surgery will proceed to 6 sessions given within 4-8 weeks by a licensed psychologist specializing in pain. CBT sessions will be 30 minutes in length, and focus on empirically supported behavior management, problem solving, cognitive restructuring, and relaxation training. The first session will be performed in person, and the subsequent 5 sessions will be performed over the phone.

Study nurse will conduct six sessions (30 minutes/ session) over a 4-8 week time period. The first session will be performed in person, and the subsequent 5 sessions will be performed over the phone. Sham sessions will entail how to prepare for surgery and expectations for recovery, and will go over content that the treatment and control groups will receive in handout form.