A Randomized Controlled Trial of Post-Operative Telerehabilitation in Patients After Lumbar Spinal Decompression Surgery

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of post-operative telerehabilitation on pain and mobility in patients undergoing lumbar spinal decompression surgery.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 22 lumbar decompression patients. Individuals in the usual rehabilitation (UR) group continued their treatment individually within a home program, while individuals in the telerehabilitation (TR) group continued their treatment with video exercises. Patients were evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TSK), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), lumbar region flexibility test in flexion-extension and lateral flexion directions, lumbar region endurance test for flexor-extensor muscles, Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Stair Climbing Test (SCT).

Results: VAS-rest, VAS-activity, TSK, PCS, and RMDQ scores in the TR and UR improved significantly after the intervention (p < .05). In addition, the improvement score in terms of VAS-rest, VAS-activity, TSK, PCS, and RMDQ scores was significantly higher in the TR (p < .05). Flexibility and endurance scores of individuals in both TR and UR increased significantly in all directions (flexion, extension, lateral flexion right and left) (p < .05). In addition, all of the flexibility and endurance scores of TR increased significantly more (p < .05). Finally, both groups improved their FRT and SCT, while TR showed more gain (p < .05).

Conclusion: The result provided the superiority of post-operative physiotherapy via telerehabilitation in patients undergoing lumbar decompression surgery. Neurosurgery clinicians and rehabilitation professionals should consider telerehabilitation in post-operative terms for the patients.