STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of current evidence evaluating the effectiveness of rehabilitation following lumbar fusion surgery (LFS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: LFS for the management of lower back pain, with(out) neurogenic leg pain, is increasing as the population ages. Clinical outcomes commonly lag behind surgical outcomes and 40% of patients experience significant back related disability 12 months after LFS. Identifying rehabilitation strategies to improve function and quality of life following LFS is important. METHODS: A systematic review of databases were searched, including Medline, CINAHL and grey literature. Studies identified were screened for inclusion by title and abstract. Full text of eligible/potentially eligible studies were evaluated against predetermined eligibility criteria. Included studies were subjected to critical appraisal and risk of bias evaluation. The GRADE approach to quality of evidence was utilised. A meta-analysis comparing usual care with 'complex rehabilitation', comprising exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy, for outcomes relating to pain, disability, fear of movement and mental health was conducted at short and longer term (< 3 and > 12 months post-surgery) time points. RESULTS: Three studies were identified for the systematic review and two included in the meta-analysis (n = 237, female 62%, mean age 55). Low quality evidence suggests 'complex rehabilitation' provides short term improvement in disability (effect size -0.85, 95% CI -1.41 to -0.29) and fear avoidance behaviour (-1.07, 95% CI -1.33 to -0.80), compared with usual care. Low quality evidence exists favouring 'complex rehabilitation' over usual care for longer term disability (-0.84, 95% CI -1.11 to -0.58) and fear avoidance behaviour (-1.40, 95% CI -1.69 to -1.12). CONCLUSIONS: A small number of low quality studies suggest 'complex rehabilitation' reduces short and long term disability and fear avoidance behaviour following LFS. More, high quality research is required to confirm the effectiveness of 'complex rehabilitation' programs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1.
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