Supervised endurance exercise training compared to home training after first lumbar diskectomy: a clinical trial

We performed a randomised trial to evaluate if intensive supervised training of the back should be offered to all patients after a first lumbar diskectomy.

Forty consecutive patients were, after a first lumbar diskectomy, randomly allocated to 2 groups undergoing "supervised training" twice a week for 3 months in an outpatient clinic or "home training" after 2 hours of instruction.

The two rehabilitation models both showed a significant effect on spinal mobility, isokinetic trunk flexion strength, isokinetic trunk extension strength and daily function. These improvements were unchanged at follow up 3 months later. The pain score remained unchanged, however, throughout the trial in both groups. No differences in effect between the two rehabilitation models could be found for any of the assessed parameters. Thirteen patients did not complete the trial, including 9 from the supervised endurance trained group, mainly because of increased pain and reprolaps (n = 4). Four patients dropped out of the home trained group, only one because of increased pain. The differences in drop-out rate and training side effects were, however, not statistically significant.

We conclude that it is not worthwhile to implement 3 months of supervised intensive endurance training as opposed to home training in all cases of first lumbar diskectomy, although a beneficial effect and better compliance might be found for a selected group of such patients.