Comparison of early effects of motor imagery and home exercise program in patients with low back pain undergone lumbar spinal surgery

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate comparison of early effects of motor imagery and home exercise program in patients with low back pain undergone lumbar spinal surgery. Method: Thirty-seven patients included in the study. Patients were allocated into two groups with the randomization. The study group was given home exercise program plus motor imagery program which was applied by voice recording. Control group was given only home exercise program. The program compliance was monitored exercise diaries and by telephone calls every week. The assesments were repeated four times as preoperative, postoperative and 3rd week and 6th week after the surgery. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TSK) for pain related activity fear, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Short Form (WHOQOL-Bref) for quality of life, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for low back pain related disability, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)for depression level were assessed. Results:Data from 37 individuals were analyzed (motor imagery group (n = 19), home exercise program group (n = 18)). In the both of groups, the comparison of the preoperative and 3th week scores was examined; while there were improvements in the VAS, ODI, TSK, BDI WHOQOL-Bref Physical Health and Psycological subparameters (p<0.05). Also these differences in the same parameters were maintained during in the 6th week scores (p<0.05). There were only statiscially significant differences in pain intensity during the activity in motor imagery group after exercise training (p<0.05). Conclusion: Motor imagery and home exercise programs are effective on pain, movement fear, depression and disease-related disability and quality of life in patients with lumbar spinal surgery. The motor imagery programs plus home exercises have a positive effect on pain during activity in the short term after surgery. Motor imagery may be preferred as an alternative method to added the exercise programs for lumbar surgery patients. Key Words: Spinal surgery, motor imagery, exercise