Nested Studies in the International Spine Registry: Conduct Targeted Clinical Spine Research

If you're planning a targeted, investigator-initiated clinical study and/or data collection, the Spine Tango Registry and platform offer a unique opportunity to run it as a nested study along with the routine registry data collection.

Nested studies allow you to prospectively or retrospectively collect specific data to specific timepoints in one or multiple centres in addition to routine registry data collection by registry participants.

What Is a Nested Study?

A nested study is a structured research project that runs on the Spine Tango platform. You define the research question, specify the data collection as needed, and collaborate with participating centres for data collection and analysis. This model enables high-quality multicentre research on the available registry infrastructure (hospitals with their teams, registry platform with the required features, data science and analysis team etc.).

Why Conduct a Nested Study with Spine Tango?

Setting up and running a nested study with Spine Tango combines the flexibility of custom research with the power of an established international registry. Benefits include:

  • Customised Data Collection
    Add study-specific variables, forms and timepoints, while relying on the core registry structure.
  • Multinational, Multicentre Network
    Collaborate with EUROSPINE-recognised spine centres already using Spine Tango across Europe and beyond.
  • Time and Cost Efficiency
    Skip building your own database, use Spine Tango’s secure, compliant infrastructure.
  • Longitudinal Outcomes
    Access consistent follow-up via standardised patient-reported outcomes like COMI and EQ5D.
  • Real-World Evidence
    Collect prospective data in real-world clinical settings to increase the relevance and impact of your findings.

Current studies

The Study of the International Society of Intraoperative Neurophysiology (ISIN)

The Board of the International Society of Intraoperative Neurophysiology (ISIN) has developed and launched Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) questionnaire within the EUROSPINE’s Spine Tango registry. In combination with the surgeon-reported surgery form and patient-reported outcomes forms, ISIN is aiming to generate outcome comparison trials from a large dataset of “IONM” and “No IONM” cases.

Who Can Initiate a Nested Study?

  • EUROSPINE members
  • Spine Tango users
  • Implant suppliers
  • Independent research teams with a spine focus
    (Subject to approval and alignment with registry objectives)

How to Launch a Nested Study

Starting a nested study is straightforward. Here’s the process:

  1. Draft and Submit Your Protocol
    Use our mini protocol template and send it to: spinetango@eurospine.org.
  2. Setup
    We'll support you in designing and implementing study-specific fields or CRFs within the Spine Tango system.
  3. Contractual agreement, if necessary
    Depending on the setup and the requirements, a contraction agreement with EUROSPINE may be required.
  4. Site Recruitment & Ethics
    Identify and invite participating centres. We can support you here as well. Each site has to comply with the local regulations for clinical research.
  5. Data Collection Begins
    Sites will collect both the standard Spine Tango data and the study-specific additional data.
  6. Analysis & Publication
    Work with EUROSPINE and participating investigators to analyse and publish your results.

Contact Us

Interested in implementing a nested study? We’re happy to support you.

Contact: spinetango@eurospine.org