Physical Performance Tests Provide Distinct Information in Both Predicting and Assessing Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Lumbar Spine Surgery

• Published in: Spine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976) Pa. 1976), 2020-12, Vol.45 (23), p.E1556-E1563
• Main Authors: Master, Hiral, Pennings, Jacquelyn S., Coronado, Rogelio A., Henry, Abigail L., O’Brien, Michael T., Haug, Christine M., Skolasky, Richard L., Riley, Lee H., Neuman, Brian J., Cheng, Joseph S., Aaronson, Oran S., Devin, Clinton J., Wegener, Stephen T., Archer, Kristin R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Back Pain - surgery; Female; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Neurosurgical Procedures; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pain Measurement; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Physical Functional Performance; Physical Therapy Modalities; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0362-2436; 1528-1159
• DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000003665

STUDY DESIGN.Secondary analysis of randomized controlled trial data. OBJECTIVE.The aim of this study was to examine whether preoperative physical performance is an independent predictor of patient-reported disability and pain at 12 months after lumbar spine surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly used to assess clinical improvement after lumbar spine surgery. However, there is evidence in the orthopedic literature to suggest that PROMs should be supplemented with physical performance tests to accurately evaluate long-term outcomes. METHODS.A total of 248 patients undergoing surgery for degenerative lumbar spine conditions were recruited from two institutions. Physical performance tests (5-Chair Stand and Timed Up and Go) and PROMs of disability (Oswestry Disability IndexODI) and back and leg pain (Brief Pain Inventory) were assessed preoperatively and at 12 months after surgery. RESULTS.Physical performance tests and PROMs significantly improved over 12 months following lumbar spine surgery (P