Lumbar instrumented fusion compared with cognitive intervention and exercises in patients with chronic back pain after previous surgery for disc herniation: a prospective randomized controlled study.

The effectiveness of lumbar fusion for chronic low back pain after surgery for disc herniation has not been evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of lumbar fusion with posterior transpedicular screws and cognitive intervention and exercises. Sixty patients aged 25-60 years with low back pain lasting longer than 1 year after previous surgery for disc herniation were randomly allocated to the two treatment groups.

Disability, pain, psychological factors and physical performance in healthy controls, patients with sub-acute and chronic low back pain: a case-control study.

Objective: To compare measures of disability, psychological factors, pain and physical performance in healthy controls, and patients with sub-acute and chronic low back pain. To evaluate the concept of the deconditioning syndrome and to explore factors that may contribute to chronicity.

Design: Case-control study.

Effect of neuromuscular training on proprioception, balance, muscle strength, and lower limb function in female team handball players.

Objective: Introduction of a neuromuscular training program will increase muscle strength, balance, and proprioception in elite female handball players.

Design: Prospective intervention study.

Participants: Thirty-five female team handball players from 2 teams in the elite division participated.

Trunk muscle strength, cross-sectional area, and density in patients with chronic low back pain randomized to lumbar fusion or cognitive intervention and exercises.

Study Design: A randomized study.

Objectives: To compare muscle strength, cross-sectional area, and density of the back muscles in two categories of patients with chronic low back pain, randomized to either lumbar fusion or cognitive intervention and exercises.

Summary Of Background Data: In two clinical trials, patients with chronic low back pain plus disc degeneration and postlaminectomy syndrome, respectively, were randomized to either lumbar fusion or cognitive intervention and exercises.

Randomized clinical trial of lumbar instrumented fusion and cognitive intervention and exercises in patients with chronic low back pain and disc degeneration.

Study Design: Single blind randomized study.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of lumbar instrumented fusion with cognitive intervention and exercises in patients with chronic low back pain and disc degeneration.

Summary Of Background Data: To the authors' best knowledge, only one randomized study has evaluated the effectiveness of lumbar fusion.

Measuring self-reported functional status and pain in patients with chronic low back pain by postal questionnaires: a reliability study.

Study Design: A reliability study was performed.

Objectives: To evaluate the test-retest reliability of self-reported functional status and pain in chronic low back pain patients by postal questionnaires.

Summary Of Background Data: Evaluation tools focusing on the patients' self-reported physical function are recommended in studies on low back pain.