Patterns of physical activity and exercise after lumbar surgery among Japanese patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of classifying the patterns of physical activity and exercise after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis in Japanese patients and describe the characteristics of the patient groups. [Participants and Methods] We evaluated Japanese patients diagnosed as having lumbar spinal stenosis and underwent surgery. The frequencies of the 15 types of physical activity and exercise recommended in Kenko Nippon 21 (Japanese policy for health promotion) were investigated by mail. The study included 102 respondents (median age, 69 years [range, 34-88 years]; 55 males and 47 females). A hierarchical cluster analysis was used for grouping according to the physical activity and exercise patterns. The Holm method and residual analysis were used for comparisons of the frequencies of the physical activity and exercise patterns and basic demographics among the groups. [Results] Three clusters, namely clusters A (younger), B (frail older), and C (active older), were identified from the dendrogram. The participants in cluster A frequently performed paid work. In cluster B, the frequencies of all the physical activity and exercise patterns were low. The older people in cluster C regularly performed stretching/light-intensity exercises, walking, muscle-strengthening exercises, and house and garden maintenance tasks. [Conclusion] We found that the physical activity and exercise after lumbar surgery in Japanese patients could be divided into three patterns.