Postoperative rehabilitation programs play a crucial role in enhancing patient outcomes following spinal surgery. However, the effectiveness of such programs remains uncertain, prompting a comprehensive evaluation of their content and style. In a recent multicenter, randomized controlled trial, conducted by Alison H McGregor, et. al., (2012) patients were invited to assess a rehabilitation program implemented as an intervention for postoperative management after spinal surgery.

The primary objective of this study was to determine the acceptability and content of the rehabilitation program. With the sporadic use of rehabilitation following spinal surgery and mixed evidence of its benefits, the trial aimed to assess whether the functional outcome of spinal surgery could be improved through postoperative rehabilitation programs and educational booklets provided at hospital discharge, in comparison to usual care.

The study included patients who had undergone spinal surgery and were randomly assigned to the postoperative rehabilitation group. The rehabilitation program commenced six weeks after surgery and consisted of 12 classes. At the end of the program, patients were asked to provide feedback on the content, style, and duration of the program using both forced choice and open-ended questions. Patients who did not attend the final class completed the evaluation during their three-month follow-up review.

Notably, patient compliance with the rehabilitation program was disappointing, with 41% of participants failing to attend any classes and an additional 16% attending less than half of the sessions. However, all patients who attended one or more classes (105 patients) completed the evaluation, demonstrating a 100% compliance rate in terms of feedback. Patients who participated in the evaluation rated the length, content, and approach of the program favorably. The overall median rating given to the classes was 9 out of 10, with scores ranging from 5 to 10. Furthermore, an impressive 91% of patients rated the classes as 7 or above.

Although compliance with the postoperative rehabilitation program was disappointing due to low attendance rates, the program itself received positive assessments from patients who actively participated. The evaluation indicated potential benefits and value in attending the program. However, certain issues were raised concerning the timing and location of the classes, which may have influenced attendance rates. Moving forward, these concerns should be addressed to maximize patient engagement and optimize the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs following spinal surgery.

By gaining valuable insights from patients themselves, this study provides a stepping stone toward refining and improving postoperative rehabilitation programs for spinal surgery patients. Through addressing the identified issues, healthcare professionals can enhance the overall experience and outcomes for individuals undergoing spinal surgery, ensuring a smoother path to recovery.

Reference: McGregor, A. H., Henley, A., Morris, T. P., & Doré, C. J. (2012). An evaluation of a postoperative rehabilitation program after spinal surgery and its impact on outcome.