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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 Dec;21(12):2531-8.
doi: 10.1007/s00586-012-2382-0. Epub 2012 Jun 6.

No difference in 9-year outcome in CLBP patients randomized to lumbar fusion versus cognitive intervention and exercises

Anne Froholdt  1 , Olav Reikeraas, Inger Holm, Anne Keller, Jens Ivar Brox
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

No difference in 9-year outcome in CLBP patients randomized to lumbar fusion versus cognitive intervention and exercises

Anne Froholdt et al. Eur Spine J. 2012 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the 9-year outcome in patients with chronic low back pain treated by instrumented lumbar fusion versus cognitive intervention and exercises.

Methods: The main outcome measure was the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Secondary outcome measures included pain, fear-avoidance beliefs, trunk muscle strength, medication, and return to work.

Results: One-third of the patients randomized to cognitive intervention and exercises had crossed over and been operated and one-third of the patients allocated to lumbar fusion had been re-operated. The intention-to-treat analysis detected no differences between the two groups. The mean adjusted treatment effect for ODI was 1.9 (95 % CI -7.8 to 11.6). Analysed according to the treatment received, more operated patients used pain medication and were out of work.

Conclusions: The outcome at 9 years was not different between instrumented lumbar fusion and cognitive intervention and exercises.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of patients included in the present study
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Change in ODI from baseline to 9-year follow-up in the two randomized groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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