title: Randomized controlled trial of postoperative exercise rehabilitation program after lumbar spine fusion: study protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lumbar spine fusion (LSF) effectively decreases pain and disability in specific spinal disorders; however, the disability rate following surgery remains high. This, combined with the fact that in Western countries the number of LSF surgeries is increasing rapidly it is important to develop rehabilitation interventions that improve outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present RCT-study we aim to assess the effectiveness of a combined back-specific and aerobic exercise intervention for patients after LSF surgery. One hundred patients will be randomly allocated to a 12-month exercise intervention arm or a usual care arm. The exercise intervention will start three months after surgery and consist of six individual guidance sessions with a physiotherapist and a home-based exercise program. The primary outcome measures are low back pain, lower extremity pain, disability and quality of life. Secondary outcomes are back function and kinesiophobia. Exercise adherence will also be evaluated. The outcome measurements will be assessed at baseline (3 months postoperatively), at the end of the exercise intervention period (15 months postoperatively), and after a 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present RCT will evaluate the effectiveness of a long-term rehabilitation program after LSF. To our knowledge this will be the first study to evaluate a combination of strength training, control of the neutral lumbar spine position and aerobic training principles in rehabilitation after LSF.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00834015.
authors: Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland. sami.tarnanen@jyu.fi
authors: Sami
authors: S
authors: Tarnanen
authors: Marko H
authors: MH
authors: Neva
authors: Joost
authors: J
authors: Dekker
authors: Keijo
authors: K
authors: Häkkinen
authors: Kimmo
authors: K
authors: Vihtonen
authors: Liisa
authors: L
authors: Pekkanen
authors: Arja
authors: A
authors: Häkkinen
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012648:Self Care; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult