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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Jan;17(1):76-89.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.09.013. Epub 2015 Oct 23.

Cognitive-Behavioral-Based Physical Therapy for Patients With Chronic Pain Undergoing Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kristin R Archer  1 , Clinton J Devin  2 , Susan W Vanston  2 , Tatsuki Koyama  3 , Sharon E Phillips  3 , Shannon L Mathis, Steven Z George  4 , Matthew J McGirt  5 , Dan M Spengler  2 , Oran S Aaronson  6 , Joseph S Cheng  6 , Stephen T Wegener  7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Cognitive-Behavioral-Based Physical Therapy for Patients With Chronic Pain Undergoing Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Kristin R Archer et al. J Pain. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral-based physical therapy (CBPT) program for improving outcomes in patients after lumbar spine surgery. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 86 adults undergoing a laminectomy with or without arthrodesis for a lumbar degenerative condition. Patients were screened preoperatively for high fear of movement using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Randomization to either CBPT or an education program occurred at 6 weeks after surgery. Assessments were completed pretreatment, posttreatment and at 3-month follow-up. The primary outcomes were pain and disability measured by the Brief Pain Inventory and Oswestry Disability Index. Secondary outcomes included general health (SF-12) and performance-based tests (5-Chair Stand, Timed Up and Go, 10-Meter Walk). Multivariable linear regression analyses found that CBPT participants had significantly greater decreases in pain and disability and increases in general health and physical performance compared with the education group at the 3-month follow-up. Results suggest a targeted CBPT program may result in significant and clinically meaningful improvement in postoperative outcomes. CBPT has the potential to be an evidence-based program that clinicians can recommend for patients at risk for poor recovery after spine surgery.

Perspective: This study investigated a targeted cognitive-behavioral-based physical therapy program for patients after lumbar spine surgery. Findings lend support to the hypothesis that incorporating cognitive-behavioral strategies into postoperative physical therapy may address psychosocial risk factors and improve pain, disability, general health, and physical performance outcomes.

Keywords: Lumbar degenerative disease; cognitive-behavioral therapy; lumbar spinal fusion; postoperative rehabilitation; randomized controlled trial.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest in the preparation of this manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of recruitment and follow-up.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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