Effects of Exercise Rehabilitation on Pain, Disability, and Muscle Strength after Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Abstract.[Purpose] The present study examined how exercise rehabilitation, extension exercise rehabilitation, and stabilization exercise rehabilitation programs for 8 weeks affected the lumbar region of elderly patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery.[Methods] Sixty participants were divided into 3 groups. The participants' lumbar extensor muscle strength was evaluated at 7 angles (72°, 60°, 48°, 36°, 24°, 12°, and 0°) from flexion to extension by MedX after 8 weeks; and pain, disability, and maximum muscle strength were also measured.[Results] Extension exercise rehabilitation significantly decreased disability compared with the other exercise methods. On the other hand, stabilization exercise rehabilitation significantly increased lumbar deep muscle strength and endurance compared with the other exercise methods. When strength was compared using MedX, extension exercise rehabilitation increased strength significantly more than the other methods at the lumbar flexion angles of 12° and 0°.[Conclusion] The three exercise programs decreased pain and disability, and increased lumbar deep muscle strength of the posterior lumbar interbody fusion patients. Therefore, these methods help patients attain pain-free lives.

Effects of early aquatic exercise intervention on trunk strength and functional recovery of patients with lumbar fusion: a randomized controlled trial

“…Hence, we contend that aquatic exercise exerts a relaxation effect owing to water immersion, which effectively reduces the perception of pain 6 . In our study, we found no improvement in pain in the control group; however, previous studies have shown that lumbar stabilization exercises and strengthening of lumbar muscles reduced pain in patients with LBP 21 – 23 and in those who had undergone lumbar fusion 5 , 24 , 25 . This discrepancy could be attributable to the fact that our control group performed only a home exercise program instead of a supervised exercise intervention.…”

Effects of Resistance Training on Pain Control and Physical Function in Older Adults With Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis

“…These studies had a low-moderate effect for physical function improvement and pain decrease. A similar effect was observed using resistance machines with pelvic and feet fixation 50,52,63 and those without fixation. 49,51,54,55 Results were much more heterogeneous in the studies that used exercises without the use of resistance machines.…”

“…Twenty-one studies (Figure 2) analyzing the effect of PRT on physical function and/or pain control in older adults with LBP were found (see Supplemental Digital Content 3, available at: http://links.lww.com/JGPT/A129). 44–64 After the initial screening of the 480 detected records, 382 records were discarded from the information contained in their abstract. Afterward, of the remaining 98, the full text was available for 90 records, which had their full text assessed for meeting the inclusion criteria.…”

“…The exercise sets for abdominal and back musculature training without the use of machines had a lot of common elements, such as lower limb exercises, pelvic exercises, the use of the bridging position, and the trunk flexion and extension. The results of the exercise “only” interventions imply that the use of resistance machines with hip and feet fixation50,52,63 or without it45,47,50,51 is preferable to the use of exercises without machines. For interventions using “only” exercises, sling exercises62 and elastic bands56 should be considered.…”

A Critical Analysis of the Exercise Prescription and Return to Activity Advice That Is Provided in Patient Information Leaflets Following Lumbar Spine Surgery

“…Once the spine has been surgically fixated, it may be argued unnecessary to try and achieve further stabilisation by activating the deeper stabilising muscles of the spine. Kang et al [30] compared general exercise, extension based exercise and a specific stabilising muscle exercise group in an 8-week programme, three months after lumbar fusion. The study found that all of the exercise groups improved with respect to pain, disability, strength and scores using a pressure biofeedback unit (that may indicate improved deeper spinal muscle function [31]).…”