Mirror Feedback Effect for Patients after Spinal Lumbar Disc Hernia Removal during the Secondary Rehabilitation Stage

Abstract

Background. Literature does not provide sufcient data on the efciency of mirror feedback in physiotherapy as an additional measure for effective recovery of patients after the spinal lumbar disc hernia removal surgery during the secondary rehabilitation stage. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of mirror feedback in physiotherapy after spinal lumbar disc hernia removal surgery during the 2nd stage of rehabilitation. Methods. Thirty patients participated in the study (19 men and 11 women). All participants were divided into two groups: the frst group performed stabilization exercises without a mirror and the second group performed stabilization exercises with a mirror. Patients performed stabilization exercises twice a day during the study. The study lasted 4 weeks. The assessment of the patients was carried out before and after rehabilitation treatment of 4 weeks in both groups. Research methodology included evaluation, statistical analysis. Research measurements involved pain intensity, the balance, the strength of leg muscle. Results. It was determined that in both groups pain evaluation measurements before physiotherapy differed dramatically (p < 0.05). However, a considerable difference (p > 0.05) between groups was not identifed. Physiotherapy program effect containing mirrored feedback was statistically signifcant (p < 0.05) in improving the research subjects’ dynamic gait balance. It was found out that after different physiotherapy program activities leg muscle strength increased statistically signifcantly (p < 0.05) in both groups. Conclusions. It was discovered that in the group where participants were subjected to exercises with mirrored feedback the majority of evaluation measurements improved more than those in the group where participants were subjected to stabilization exercises without mirrored feedback.

Keywords: physiotherapy, mirror feedback, intervertebral disc herniation, stabilization exercises.