Trunk muscle strength, cross-sectional area, and density in patients with chronic low back pain randomized to lumbar fusion or cognitive intervention and exercises.
METHODS
A randomized study.


OBJECTIVE
To compare muscle strength, cross-sectional area, and density of the back muscles in two categories of patients with chronic low back pain, randomized to either lumbar fusion or cognitive intervention and exercises.


BACKGROUND
In two clinical trials, patients with chronic low back pain plus disc degeneration and postlaminectomy syndrome, respectively, were randomized to either lumbar fusion or cognitive intervention and exercises. We have previously reported that results for the primary outcome were similar at the 1-year follow-up examination.


METHODS
As the treatment alternatives and test procedures were identical, the two trials were merged into one. A total of 124 patients 25 to 60 years of age were included. Muscle strength, measured by isokinetic test device and by the Biering-Sørensen Test, was measured in 112 patients, and the cross-sectional area and density of the back muscles were measured in 61 patients at the inclusion and at the 1-year follow-up examination.


RESULTS
The exercise group performed significantly better in muscle strength than did the lumbar fusion group, with the mean difference at 184 Nm (95% confidence interval, 64-303 Nm; P = 0.003) and for the Biering-Sørensen Test 21 seconds (95% confidence interval, 6-36 seconds; P = 0.006). The density at L3-L4 decreased in the lumbar fusion group but remained unchanged in the exercise group. The mean difference was 5.3 HU (95% confidence interval, 1.1-9.5 HU; P = 0.01). The cross-sectional area was unchanged in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with chronic low back pain who followed cognitive intervention and exercise programs improved significantly in muscle strength compared with patients who underwent lumbar fusion. In the lumbar fusion group, density decreased significantly at L3-L4 compared with the exercise group.
Keller
Anne
A
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ullevaal University Hospital, N-0407 Oslo, Norway. Anne.Keller@ioks.uio.no
Brox
Jens I
JI
Gunderson
Ragnhild
R
Holm
Inger
I
Friis
Astrid
A
Reikerås
Olav
O
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D016896:Treatment Outcome