Experiences and perceptions of adults pre- and/or post-lumbar spine surgery: a meta-ethnography

Abstract

Study Design

Qualitative meta-ethnography. Pre-registered with OSF:10.17605/OSF.IO/UTZE6.

Purpose

To understand the patient experience pre- and/or post-lumbar spine surgery.

Methods

Literature search: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, EmCare and CINAHL from inception to October 17, 2022. Study selection criteria: Peer-reviewed qualitative or mixed-method studies of English text investigating the beliefs, perceptions, or experiences of adults (≥18 years old) pre- and/or post-lumbar spine surgery for degenerative, non-traumatic or non-infectious concerns. Data synthesis: The eMERGE meta-ethnography reporting guidelines were followed to create themes and subthemes from the original themes of the included studies. A quality appraisal was performed using the McMaster Quality Appraisal tool.

Results

We included 18 studies and identified five themes that were separated into pre- and post-operative categories. The two pre-operative themes included [1]: the influence of physiotherapy interventions on patients’ experiences, and [2] the importance of education/the power of communication, and the three post-operative themes included [1]: psychosocial coping [2], redefining oneself post-operatively, and [3] experience with the healthcare system.

Conclusions

These findings emphasize the complexity of the peri-operative experience for individuals undergoing lumbar spine surgery. Future research should focus on addressing psychosocial factors that may optimize patient experiences and recovery following LSS.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

1. The results of this study identified potential pre-operative and post-operative factors that may influence whether patients’ have positive or negative perioperative experiences with lumbar spine surgery.

2. Health care providers should be encouraged to focus on psychosocial factors that can be implemented in the health care system to improve the perioperative experience of patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery.

Keywords:

• Low back pain
• lumbar surgery
• patient experience
• qualitative
• physiotherapy
• physical therapy

Disclosure statement

No conflicts of interest to disclose.

Statement of Institutional Review Board: N/A

Registration: OSF Pre-registration 10.17605/OSF.IO/UTZE6

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.