Impact of spinal decompression therapy on disability, pain and mental health in patients with lumbar disc herniation

Spine Research

Yaco Climent Carmona and Adriano Torres Martin

Individual researchers, Vitalys Center, Spain

ABSTRACT

Chronic low back pain has become a common problem in industrialized countries. About 61%-83% of adults within younger age groups and 53%-75% in older groups experience low back pain during their lifetime.

Questionnaires of 19 patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation treated with spinal decompression treatment protocol were reviewed - Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry low back pain questionnaire (ODI) as a measure of depression severity, pain perception and disability, respectively.

Significant improvement (P<0.05) of all parameters was reported after 6 treatment sessions. PHQ-9 score improved by 66.44%, VAS by 61.15% and ODI by 66.42%. Significant large positive linear relationships between depression severity and pain and between depression severity and disability were noted.