title: Body image in preoperative and postoperative lumbar laminectomy patients.
abstract: Many patients each year undergo a lumbar laminectomy for removal of a herniated disc. This study was conducted to determine if the patient had a change in body image from the preoperative to postoperative period. Body image was measured using the Body-Cathexis Scale. Twenty-four (24) patients were included in the study. Results indicated that there was a significantly higher difference in the total Body-Cathexis score postoperatively as compared to preoperatively. In addition, there was a significantly higher difference in the patients' ratings of back, knee, posture, energy level and sexual activity in the postoperative period. Further research is needed with a larger sample and over time to see whether these effects hold true.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Neatherlin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brillhart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires