Research & Publications | James Mooney MD

Research and Publications

Dr. Mooney’s research focuses on advancing the field of spine surgery through the integration of artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, and surgical innovation. His work centers on improving preoperative planning, intraoperative precision, and postoperative outcomes, particularly in complex spinal deformity. He has a strong interest in predictive analytics, radiomics, and patient-specific modeling, with the goal of developing more personalized and data-driven approaches to spine care. His research also explores emerging technologies such as robotics, navigation, and digital twin simulation, as well as outcomes research aimed at optimizing patient safety, recovery, and long-term functional results.

Selected Spine Publications

Waheed AA, Ozpinar A, Muthiah N, et al. Durability in symptomatic and radiographic outcomes after standalone anterolateral minimally invasive surgery for adult spinal deformity. J Clin Neurosci. Sep 17 2025;141:111555. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2025.111555

Sun Y, Ramapuram H, Tracz J, et al. Intraoperative vancomycin for preventing infection after open spine surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Neurosurg Spine. Jul 11 2025:1-10. doi:10.3171/2025.3.Spine2547

Sun Y, Razi R, et al. The Association of Poor Preoperative Mental Health and Outcomes After Surgical Correction of Adult Spinal Deformity: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025;14(15):5516.

Sun Y, Laskay NMB, Thrash GW, Howell S, Mooney JH, Godzik J. The Association of Area Deprivation Index and Spine Surgery Outcomes: A Systematic and Narrative Review. Oper Neurosurg. Apr 1 2025;doi:10.1227/ons.0000000000001551

Sun Y, Howell S, Laskay NMB, et al. Association between limited primary care access and higher readmissions and reoperations following elective lumbar fusion. J Neurosurg Spine. Oct 17 2025:1-11. doi:10.3171/2025.6.Spine2517

Sun Y, Howell S, Laskay NMB, et al. Neighborhood disadvantage predicts health resource utilization after lumbar spine surgery: a cohort study. Acta Neurochir (Wien). Dec 1 2025;167(1):301. doi:10.1007/s00701-025-06703-4

Sun Y, Howell S, Juarez LD, et al. Preoperative hemoglobin A1c and minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery: is it as critical as we think. Acta Neurochir (Wien). Nov 8 2025;167(1):290. doi:10.1007/s00701-025-06686-2

Sun Y, Gross EG, Hamo MA, et al. Neighborhood-level measures of socioeconomic status impact healthcare utilization and surgical outcomes in cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients in the Deep South. J Neurosurg Spine. Jan 3 2025:1-13. doi:10.3171/2024.8.Spine24604

Laskay NMB, Sun Y, Gross EG, et al. The Association of Race, Rurality, and Neighborhood Disadvantage with Disease Severity at Initial Presentation in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Cohort Study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). Jan 29 2025;doi:10.1097/brs.0000000000005268

Parr MS, Williams SR, Mooney JH, Atchley TJ, Okor MO. Migratory schwannoma of the cauda equina with a change in radicular pattern: illustrative case. J Neurosurg Case Lessons. Apr 8 2024;7(15)doi:10.3171/case23706

Laskay NM, Jarrell MT, Salehani A, et al. Minimally Invasive Far Lateral Lumbar Discectomy With Modified Technique: Symptomatic Relief and Intersegmental Stability Study. Cureus. Feb 2024;16(2):e53415. doi:10.7759/cureus.53415

Mooney J, Nathani KR, Zeitouni D, et al. Does diabetes affect outcome or reoperation rate after lumbar decompression or arthrodesis? A matched analysis of the Quality Outcomes Database data set. J Neurosurg Spine. Dec 1 2023:1-12. doi:10.3171/2023.9.Spine23522

Mooney J, Erickson N, Laskay N, et al. Epidural Versus Local Anesthesia for Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin Spine Surg. Jun 22 2023;doi:10.1097/bsd.0000000000001476

Mooney J, Michalopoulos GD, Zeitouni D, et al. Outpatient versus inpatient lumbar decompression surgery: a matched noninferiority study investigating clinical and patient-reported outcomes. J Neurosurg Spine. May 6 2022:1-13. doi:10.3171/2022.3.Spine211558

Mooney J, Laskay N, Erickson N, et al. General vs Local Anesthesia for Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Global Spine J. Dec 23 2022:21925682221147868. doi:10.1177/21925682221147868

Mooney J, Erickson N, Salehani A, et al. Microendoscopic lumbar discectomy with general versus local anesthesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. N Am Spine Soc J. Jun 2022;10:100129. doi:10.1016/j.xnsj.2022.100129

Mooney J, Michalopoulos GD, Alvi MA, et al. Minimally invasive versus open lumbar spinal fusion: a matched study investigating patient-reported and surgical outcomes. J Neurosurg Spine. Dec 14 2021:1-14. doi:10.3171/2021.10.Spine211128

Self M, Mooney J, Amburgy J, et al. Analysis of injected cement volume and clinical outcomes following kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fractures. Surgical neurology international. 2020;11:56. doi:10.25259/sni_22_2020

Mooney JH, Amburgy J, Self M, et al. Vertebral height restoration following kyphoplasty. Journal of spine surgery (Hong Kong). Jun 2019;5(2):194-200. doi:10.21037/jss.2019.04.02

Selected Concussion/Sports Medicine Research

Mooney J, Cochrane GD, Gould S. Relationship Between Sensory Organization Testing Scores With Lower Extremity Injuries and Prior Concussion in Professional Soccer Players. Clin J Sport Med. Jan 9 2023;doi:10.1097/jsm.0000000000001104

Self M, Mooney JH, Amburgy J, et al. Chasing the Cup: A Comprehensive Review of Spinal Cord Injuries in Hockey. Cureus. Apr 2022;14(4):e24314. doi:10.7759/cureus.24314

Pate J, Cummins I, Mooney J, Cooper K, McLeod C, Gould S. Socioeconomic and demographic considerations of pediatric concussion recovery. J Clin Neurosci. Apr 14 2022;100:94-99. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2022.04.008

Mooney J, Pate J, Cummins I, McLeod MC, Gould S. Effects of prior concussion on symptom severity and recovery time in acute youth concussion. J Neurosurg Pediatr. Jun 24 2022:1-9. doi:10.3171/2022.5.Peds2248

Pate J, Mooney J, Katz E, Cignetti C, McLeod C, Gould S. Efficacy of outpatient infusion therapy in pediatric patients with postconcussive headaches. Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. Oct 20 2021;doi:10.1007/s00381-021-05383-6

Mooney J, Self M, ReFaey K, et al. Concussion in soccer: a comprehensive review of the literature. Concussion. Jul 1 2020;5(3):Cnc76. doi:10.2217/cnc-2020-0004

Research Interests

Spinal Kinematics

Investigating biomechanical outcomes and motion preservation following non-fusion spinal interventions.

Navigation & AI

Evaluating the integration of augmented reality and AI in pre-operative planning for complex spinal deformity.

Clinical Outcomes

Tracking long-term patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in MIS vs. traditional open surgery patient cohorts.

Important Disclosure

The information provided on this website is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Accessing this site or contacting Dr. James H. Mooney, MD through this platform does not establish a physician-patient relationship. Patients should always seek the advice of their physician or other qualified health providers with any questions regarding a medical condition. In the event of a medical emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room immediately. Dr. Mooney is an employee of VCU Health; all clinical scheduling and patient care are managed through official VCU Health channels and are subject to their institutional policies and privacy practices. All logos and names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. All logos and names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.