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

Abstract

ContextPatients who have suffered from persistent symptoms often undergo lumbar spinal surgery (LSS). Motor imagery should be added to postoperative home exercises to reduce patient complaints. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the effects of home exercise plus motor imagery and only home exercise in patients undergoing LSS. DesignA randomized controlled study. SettingsThis study was designed by researchers at Dokuz Eylul University. ParticipantsThirty-seven patients undergoing LSS were randomized to motor imagery group (n = 19) and control group (n = 18). Main outcome measuresPain 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. InterventionsMotor 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. ResultsThere 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.