Factors Affecting Post-operative Uncertainty of the Patients Undergone Lumbar Spinal Surgery

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify main factors affecting patients' uncertainty following lumbar spinal surgery. Methods: A survey was conducted of a sample 155 post -operative patients in April to June 2010. Uncertainty and knowledge about self-care after spinal surgery and the back pain evaluation were measured. Data were analyzed with t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regressions. Results: The mean score of uncertainty level was 27.66±6.32. Levels of uncertainty were different by age, gender, educational level, pain duration, and number of types of pain. Uncertainty was positively correlated with knowledge of post-op self-care, back pain, and mental health. The results of multiple regression indicated that knowledge of post-op self-care and mental health were significant predictors with 35.1% of the variance in uncertainty. Conclusion: A program including post-operative self-care education and mental health promotion is required to reduce uncertainty of patients with lumbar spinal surgery.

The Mediating Effects of Social Support on the Relationship between Uncertainty and Quality of Life among Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Our findings are also in accordance with those of Lee and Kim [ 18 ], who identified uncertainty as a significant predictor of QOL among patients with peripheral artery disease. Other studies have reported that patients who undergo spinal surgery experience increased uncertainty as their level of knowledge related to self-care decreases [ 11 ]. Many patients who seek medical care for LBP wish to undergo a procedure without taking the prescribed analgesic, based on the belief that drugs are bad for the body [ 1 ]; systematic education is necessary to increase the level of knowledge and reduce uncertainty in patients with chronic LBP.…”

“…Patients who undergo spinal surgery experience increased uncertainty due to preoperative symptoms such as LBP, sciatica, and intermittent claudication, as well as psychological challenges in adjusting to their normal everyday lives postoperatively if these symptoms persist. Research has indicated that levels of uncertainty among these patients parallel those observed in patients with heart conditions or cancer [ 11 ]. Symptom-related uncertainty exerts a substantial impact on functioning in patients with chronic LBP, especially in terms of employment [ 12 ].…”

“…Symptom-related uncertainty exerts a substantial impact on functioning in patients with chronic LBP, especially in terms of employment [ 12 ]. Furthermore, uncertainty surrounding the therapeutic effects of spinal surgery, the persistence of preoperative symptoms after surgery, and concerns surrounding future triggers create negative emotions, which may hinder effective coping methods and adjustment in patients with chronic LBP [ 11 ].…”

“…Several studies have investigated QOL in patients with chronic conditions, highlighting uncertainty [ 11 , 18 , 19 ] and social support [ 18 , 19 ] as significant predictors of QOL. However, few have focused on patients with chronic LBP [ 7 , 20 ].…”