PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to develop and pilot test an early exercise program for lumbar spine surgery patients.
METHODS
A group of experts developed an early exercise program based on the exercise guidelines of spine hospitals and literature review. Fifty-three lumbar surgery patients were assigned into an experimental group or a control group and both groups participated in a 7-day exercise program. Pain, sleep disorders and daily living activity disorders were measured by self-administered questionnaires. The lower extremity strength was assessed by thigh circumference and the number of standing up from a chair within 30 seconds.
RESULTS
The experiment group had significantly lower scores in back pain and daily living activity disorders than the control group. The number of standing up from a chair significantly increased in the experimental group.
CONCLUSION
Our early exercise program was effective in decreasing the back pain and daily living activity disorder and increasing the strength of lower extremity among lumbar surgery patients. The early exercise program should be considered as a nursing intervention in clinical settings for lumbar surgery patients.