Accelerometry-based physical activity, disability and quality of life before and after lumbar decompression surgery from a physiotherapeutic perspective: An observational cohort study.

Background: The effect of lumbar decompression on physical activity (PA) measures (measured as number of steps/day and as moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA)) is poorly understood. The aim of the current study was to compare PA in patients before and after lumbar decompression and to determine the association between change in steps/day and MVPA with change in disability, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and pain.

Methods: Patients undergoing lumbar decompression surgery were recruited.

The role of brief motivational intervention on self-efficacy and abstinence in a cohort of patients with alcohol dependence.

Objectives: Brief interventions are effective in reducing heavy drinking in the general population but few studies examined whether it is also effective in alcohol dependent patients, and whether brief intervention increases self-efficacy.

Method: One hundred and seven patients with alcohol-dependence were randomized in a controlled trial examining the efficacy of a brief motivational intervention on both self-efficacy level and days of abstinence.

Results: We found that brief motivational interventions had no effect on days of abstinence, nor on self-efficacy, but that high self-efficacy was consistently correlated with a longer period of abstinence, at all assessment-points.