Randomized clinical trial of lumbar instrumented fusion and cognitive intervention and exercises in patients with chronic low back pain and disc degeneration.
METHODS
Single blind randomized study.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of lumbar instrumented fusion with cognitive intervention and exercises in patients with chronic low back pain and disc degeneration.


BACKGROUND
To the authors' best knowledge, only one randomized study has evaluated the effectiveness of lumbar fusion. The Swedish Lumbar Spine Study reported that lumbar fusion was better than continuing physiotherapy and care by the family physician.


METHODS
Sixty-four patients aged 25-60 years with low back pain lasting longer than 1 year and evidence of disc degeneration at L4-L5 and/or L5-S1 at radiographic examination were randomized to either lumbar fusion with posterior transpedicular screws and postoperative physiotherapy, or cognitive intervention and exercises. The cognitive intervention consisted of a lecture to give the patient an understanding that ordinary physical activity would not harm the disc and a recommendation to use the back and bend it. This was reinforced by three daily physical exercise sessions for 3 weeks. The main outcome measure was the Oswestry Disability Index.


RESULTS
At the 1-year follow-up visit, 97% of the patients, including 6 patients who had either not attended treatment or changed groups, were examined. The Oswestry Disability Index was significantly reduced from 41 to 26 after surgery, compared with 42 to 30 after cognitive intervention and exercises. The mean difference between groups was 2.3 (-6.7 to 11.4) (P = 0.33). Improvements inback pain, use of analgesics, emotional distress, life satisfaction, and return to work were not different. Fear-avoidance beliefs and fingertip-floor distance were reduced more after nonoperative treatment, and lower limb pain was reduced more after surgery. The success rate according to an independent observer was 70% after surgery and 76% after cognitive intervention and exercises. The early complication rate in the surgical group was 18%.


CONCLUSIONS
The main outcome measure showed equal improvement in patients with chronic low back pain and disc degeneration randomized to cognitive intervention and exercises, or lumbar fusion.
Brox
Jens Ivar
JI
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Hospital, Oslo, Norway. jens.ivar.brox@rikshospitalet.no
Sørensen
Roger
R
Friis
Astrid
A
Nygaard
Øystein
Ø
Indahl
Aage
A
Keller
Anne
A
Ingebrigtsen
Tor
T
Eriksen
Hege R
HR
Holm
Inger
I
Koller
Anne Kathrine
AK
Riise
Rolf
R
Reikerås
Olav
O
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome