THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STABILIZATION EXERCISES AND NEURAL MOBILIZATION IN PREVENTION OF POST-LUMBAR DECOMPRESSION SURGERY SYNDROME

Abstract

AIM: To determine the effectiveness of stabilization exercises and neural mobilization in prevention of post-lumbar decompression surgery syndrome
METHODS: Total of 36 patients including both male and female, aged between 18-70 years of lumbar post- decompression surgery within the last 72 hours were randomly allocated in two groups. 28 patients continued the study till end as 4 patients didn’t come for the follow-up, 3 patients developed infection and 2 patient didn’t perform the exercises Patients with the history of spinal dislocations & fractures, tuberculous spine, serious pathological conditions, sacro-iliac joint diseases, discitis, advance scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, spinal fracture and physical disabilities were excluded from the study. The intervention group was provided with a home exercise program starting 24-48 hours after surgery and an educational leaflet on posture ergonomics. A single physical therapist educated the patients on exercises. The control group was provided with pain killers and ergonomics leaflet. Both groups were follow-up after 1 month of implementation of the training plan. The patients were assessed on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for low back pain as the outcome measures.
RESULT: After one month follow-up out of 36 only 28 patients completed the study with 64% male and 36% female ratio. The statistical results of VAS (p=0.47) and the Oswestery Disability Index (p=0.287) revealed no statistical significance between the two groups regarding pain and disability outcomes.
CONCLUSION: The study concludes that no changes were found regarding pain and disability and both groups were equally effective in improvements of symptoms following lumbar decompression.