The Effects of The Addition of Motor Imagery to Home Exercises on Pain, Disability and Psychosocial Parameters in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Spinal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study was designed by researchers at X University.Participants: Thirty-seven patients undergoing LSS were randomized to motor imagery group (n=19) and control group (n=18).Main Outcome Measures: Pain was measured by Visual Analogue Scale, disability related to low back pain by Oswestry Disability Index, pain-related fear by Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, depression by Beck Depression Inventory, quality of life by World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF). All assessments were repeated in the preoperative period, three weeks after and six weeks after the surgery.Interventions: Motor imagery group underwent home exercise plus motor imagery program applied by voice recording. Control group underwent only home exercise program. Exercise program compliance was monitored by exercise diary and telephone calls once every week.Results: There was a significant improvement in pain at rest and during activity, disability, kinesiophobia, depression, physical health and psychological sub-parameters of WHOQOL-BREF between preoperative period, and the third week and sixth week in both groups (p<0.05). When comparing groups for gain scores, there was a more significant improvement in pain during activity in motor imagery group (p<0.05). Motor imagery should be addressed as an effective treatment after LSS.
Source: EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing - Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research