Intensive, progressive exercise improves quality of life following lumbar microdiskectomy: a randomized controlled trial:

Objective:The purpose of the study was to examine changes in quality of life measures in patients who have undergone an intensive exercise program following a single level microdiskectomy.Design:Randomized controlled trial with blinded examiners.Setting:The study was conducted in outpatient physical therapy clinics.Subjects:Ninety-eight participants (53 male, 45 female) who had undergone a single-level lumbar microdiskectomy allocated to receive exercise and education or education only.Interventions:A 12-week periodized exercise program of lumbar extensor strength and endurance training, and mat and upright therapeutic exercises was administered.Outcome measures:Quality of life was tested with the Short Form 36 (SF-36). Measurements were taken 4–6 weeks postsurgery and following completion of the 12-week intervention program. Since some participants selected physical therapy apart from the study, analyses were performed for both an as-randomized (two-group) design and an as-treated (three-group) design.Re...