Lumbar disc herniation is a common condition that may impair physical functioning and reduce independence in activities of daily living. Although surgery aims to relieve symptoms and improve functional recovery, individual factors present before surgery may influence postoperative rehabilitation outcomes. This prospective observational study aims to investigate the effects of preoperative dependency, frailty, and kinesiophobia on postoperative mobilization and self-care agency in patients undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery. Data will be collected before surgery and on the first postoperative day using validated assessment instruments. The findings are expected to identify preoperative risk factors associated with early postoperative recovery and provide evidence to support individualized nursing care and rehabilitation planning.
Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common spinal disorders affecting functional capacity and quality of life. Although conservative treatment is effective for many patients, a substantial proportion require surgical intervention because of persistent symptoms or neurological impairment. The primary goals of surgery are pain relief, prevention of complications, restoration of functional independence, and improvement of quality of life. Recovery after lumbar disc herniation surgery varies considerably among individuals. Factors such as dependency in activities of daily living, frailty, and kinesiophobia may influence patients' ability to mobilize early after surgery and perform self-care activities. Dependency reflects the level of assistance required for daily living activities, frailty indicates reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors, and kinesiophobia refers to an excessive fear of movement resulting from concerns about pain or reinjury. These characteristics may adversely affect postoperative recovery by limiting participation in early mobilization and delaying the restoration of self-care ability. Although previous studies have examined the relationships between these variables and different health outcomes in various surgical populations, evidence regarding their combined influence on postoperative mobilization and self-care following lumbar disc herniation surgery remains limited. Identifying patients with unfavorable preoperative characteristics may facilitate early recognition of individuals at risk for delayed recovery and support the development of individualized nursing interventions. This prospective observational study will be conducted in the Neurosurgery Clinic of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Research and Application Hospital. Adult patients scheduled for lumbar disc herniation surgery will be recruited consecutively. Data will be collected at two time points: one day before surgery and on the first postoperative day. Preoperative assessments will include a Patient Information Form, the Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale, the FRAIL Scale, and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. On the first postoperative day, mobilization will be evaluated using the Patient Mobility Scale and the Observer Mobility Scale, while self-care agency will be assessed using the Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale. The primary objective of the study is to determine the effects of preoperative dependency, frailty, and kinesiophobia on postoperative mobilization and self-care agency. The results are expected to contribute to the identification of modifiable preoperative factors influencing early postoperative recovery and provide evidence to support nursing assessment, perioperative care planning, and individualized rehabilitation strategies for patients undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
221
Aydın Adnan Menderes University
Aydin, Zafer Mahallesi, Turkey (Türkiye)
Frailty
Frailty will be assessed using the FRAIL Scale. The scale consists of five items evaluating fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and weight loss. Higher scores indicate greater frailty. The minimum score obtainable from the scale is between "0" (zero) and "5" (five). There is no cutoff score for the scale; it is interpreted that an increase in the score indicates an increase in the level of vulnerability.
Time frame: One day before surgery (baseline)
Dependency in Activities of Daily Living
Dependency will be assessed using the Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale. The instrument evaluates independence in six basic daily living activities. As the scores obtained from the scale increase, it is interpreted as an increase in difficulty in performing daily living activities and an increase in dependence. Based on the scores obtained from the scale, 0-2 is classified as dependent, 3-4 as semi-dependent, and 5-6 as independent.
Time frame: One day before surgery (baseline)
Kinesiophobia
Kinesiophobia will be assessed using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). The questionnaire evaluates fear of movement and reinjury. The minimum possible score on the scale is 17, and the maximum is 68. A high score on the scale is interpreted as indicating a high level of kinesiophobia.
Time frame: One day before surgery (baseline)
Postoperative Mobilization
Postoperative mobilization will be evaluated using the Patient Mobility Scale and the Observer Mobility Scale. These instruments assess patients' ability to perform postoperative mobility activities and the level of independence during mobilization. The Patient Mobility Scale assesses the level of pain and difficulty experienced during four post-surgical activities (turning from side to side in bed, sitting at the bedside, standing at the bedside, and walking around the hospital room) using a 15 cm visual analog with verbally displayed statements at the bottom of the scale. The numerical value of the pain and difficulty level is determined by measuring the distance between the patient's mark on the scale and "0" using a calibrated ruler. An increased score on the scale indicates that patients have inadequate mobility, while a decreased score indicates that their mobility is good/adequate after surgery.
Time frame: Postoperative Day 1
Self-Care Agency
Self-care agency will be assessed using the Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale. Higher scores indicate greater self-care agency and a higher ability to perform self-care activities independently. The minimum possible score on the scale is 0, and the maximum is 140. A higher score indicates a higher level of self-care or self-reliance ability or strength in an individual.
Time frame: Postoperative Day 1
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