Change in patients’ psychophysical performance following lumbar discectomy relative to the postoperative rehabilitation programme

<i>Purpose</i>: The aim of this study was to assess the change in psychophysical performance of patients after lumbar discectomy in relation to the postoperative rehabilitation programme. <i>Methods</i>: The study involved 60 participants randomly divided into two groups of 30 individuals. Both groups participated in a basic version of the rehabilitation programme, and individuals in the study group additionally received manual therapy. The evaluation was performed twice, before the start and after the completion of the 3-month rehabilitation programme. The tests were carried out to measure static balance, functional status using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), lumbar spine range of motion using the original Schober's test and the intensity of pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). <i>Results</i>: Both groups showed significant improvement in most of the psychophysical parameters assessed (study versus control <i>p</i> < 0.01, <i>p</i> < 0.05), except for the parameters of balance. In the study group, significant changes occurred in all parameters except <i>X</i> average, Area circular and average velocity in trials with eyes closed and left leg stance after rehabilitation ( <i>p</i> < 0.05). The findings showed significant differences in the reduced pain intensity on the VAS (<i>p</i> = 0.0001), improved functional status in ODI and improved static balance ( <i>p</i> < 0.01), in favour of the study group. <i>Conclusions</i>: The protocol which additionally included manual therapy was found to be more effective than the basic programme. Its superiority was reflected by greater pain reduction, more visibly improved functional status as well as improved static balance.