Effectiveness of a Visual Feedback Exercise Program Following Lumbar Surgery

Official title

Efficacy of Laser Pointer-Guided Visual Feedback Stabilization Exercise Program After Lumbar Microdiscectomy Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of stabilization exercises performed with visual feedback guided by a laser pointer after lumbar microdiscectomy surgery with that of standard stabilization exercises. The study, planned as a randomized controlled trial, will include 42 individuals aged 18-65 who have undergone lumbar microdiscectomy. Participants will be divided into two groups: a control group and a laser-guided exercise group. Both groups will undergo supervised stabilization exercises 3 days a week for 8 weeks, starting from the 6th postoperative week. The outcome measures were defined as pain, disability, back awareness, trunk muscle endurance, reaction time, balance, function, and lumbar proprioception. The findings are expected to demonstrate the effectiveness of visual feedback-assisted stabilization exercises in postoperative rehabilitation and contribute to clinical practice.

Detailed description

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to compare the effects of stabilization exercises performed with laser-guided visual feedback and conventional stabilization exercises in individuals who have undergone lumbar microdiscectomy surgery. A total of 42 participants aged 18-65 years who have undergone lumbar microdiscectomy will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group or a laser-guided exercise group. Both groups will receive supervised stabilization exercise programs three times per week for eight weeks, starting from the sixth postoperative week. The exercise content will be similar in both groups, with the laser-guided group receiving additional visual feedback during exercises. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Assessments will include pain, disability, back awareness, trunk muscle endurance, reaction time, balance, functional performance, and lumbar proprioception. The results of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based postoperative rehabilitation approaches following lumbar microdiscectomy.

Interventions

• Other Exercise
  Participants undergo supervised stabilization exercises for a total of 24 sessions over 8 weeks, starting 6 weeks after lumbar microdiscectomy surgery, 3 days a week. The exercises will be performed with visual feedback provided by a laser pointer placed on the lumbar region. Participants will be asked to keep the laser pointer fixed on a designated point or line on the reference diagram in front of them during the exercises. The program includes posterior pelvic tilt, partial sit-ups, bird-dog,
• Other Control
  Starting 6 weeks after surgery, a supervised stabilization exercise program consisting of 24 sessions over 8 weeks, 3 days a week, will be implemented. The same exercises as in the laser group will be performed, but without the use of visual feedback. All participants will be provided with a post-operative training program in video format.

Primary outcome measures

• Pain Assessment [Time frame: All primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (postoperative week 6) and post-intervention (postoperative week 14).]
• Disability Assessment [Time frame: All primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (postoperative week 6) and post-intervention (postoperative week 14).]
• Lumbar Proprioception Assessment [Time frame: All primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (postoperative week 6) and post-intervention (postoperative week 14).]
• Back Awareness Assessment [Time frame: All primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (postoperative week 6) and post-intervention (postoperative week 14).]

Secondary outcome measures (4)

• Trunk Muscle Endurance Assessment [Time frame: All primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (postoperative week 6) and post-intervention (postoperative week 14).]
• Lower Extremity Reaction Time Assessment [Time frame: All primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (postoperative week 6) and post-intervention (postoperative week 14).]
• Balance Assessment [Time frame: All primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (postoperative week 6) and post-intervention (postoperative week 14).]
• Functional Performance Assessment [Time frame: All primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (postoperative week 6) and post-intervention (postoperative week 14).]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• To be between 18 and 65 years of age
• Patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy surgery
• Individuals who are literate in Turkish

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who have previously undergone lumbar disc herniation surgery
• The surgical procedure involving fusion has been performed.
• Having a body mass index above 30
• Suspected or confirmed tumors in the lumbar spine and spinal canal
• Severe heart failure and cerebrovascular accident
• The presence of cauda equina syndrome and concomitant diseases of the lumbar spine
• The presence of heart conditions, orthopedic contraindications, or systemic diseases that could prevent participation in the exercise program
• Refusing to participate in the study

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center

• Antalya Provincal Health Directorate Antalya Training and Research Hospital — Antalya

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07382830 · Laser Pointer Exercise

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗