The Effects of Hydrotherapy Prehabilitation Exercise on the Level of Pain and Core Muscles Electromyography in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients’ Candidate of Laminectomy Surgery

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of 4 weeks of aquatic exercise prehabilitation pre-surgery along with eight weeks of exercise rehabilitation after laminectomy surgery on pain and core muscles electromyography in women with a chronic low back.

A total of 30 females with CLBP candidates for laminectomy surgery enrolled in this single-blind randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomly allocated into the intervention (n=15, Mean±SD age 46.2±5.45) and control (n=15, Mean±SD age 46.26±5.39). The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to measure pain, and a surface Electromyography (EMG) device was also used to measure selective core muscles activity of participants. The intervention group participated in 4 weeks of aquatic therapy as a rehabilitation program pre laminectomy surgery and eight weeks of aquatic therapy as a rehabilitation program after surgery. The control group participated in the same program only eight weeks after surgery as a routine rehabilitation program. All tests and measurement procedures were done for all participants, pre-surgery and at the end of 8 weeks rehabilitation.

The findings of the presents study indicated that prehabilitation program pre laminectomy surgery in women with CLBP significantly reduced levels of pain (p<0.0001) and increased muscles strength or EMG of selective core muscles (p<0.0001) of the intervention group compared to the control group at the end of the program.

In general, the statistical analysis concluded that pre-rehabilitation exercises as a hydrotherapy protocol had significant pain intensity and main muscle activity. Therefore, a comprehensive rehabilitation program for women with chronic low back pain has more beneficial effects than a routine rehabilitation program for these patients. Therefore it is recommended it is most helpful if the healthcare system in Iran includes a rehabilitation program as part of a comprehensive program for patients with CLBP. They are a candidate to have laminectomy surgery.