In a study published in "BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders", a significant correlation was uncovered between preoperative fear of movement and postoperative sedentary behavior in individuals dealing with both low back pain and degenerative disc disorder. Max Jakobsson et al. aimed to explore the link between psychological factors related to preoperative pain and postoperative sedentary behavior, as well as moderate to vigorous physical activity, among subjects with degenerative disc disorder and low back pain at 6 and 12 months following lumbar fusion.

Data from 118 volunteers (55 males and 63 females, with a mean age of 46 years) who participated in a randomized controlled trial and underwent lumbar fusion surgery were utilized as secondary data. Moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed utilizing a triaxial accelerometer ActiGraph GT3X+. Predictors included fear of movement, pain catastrophizing, and self-efficacy for exercise. Linear regression models were employed to analyze the connection between these factors and the proportionate time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior at 6 and 12 months post-surgery, adjusting for potential confounding variables.

The relative time spent in sedentary behavior at 6 and 12 months post-surgery exhibited a significant correlation with preoperative fear of movement (β = 0.013). However, neither pain catastrophizing nor self-efficacy for exercise demonstrated substantial links with the relative time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior at these specified time points. Hence, in lumbar fusion surgery patients with low back pain and degenerative disc disorder, fear of movement significantly influences postoperative sedentary behavior.

This emphasizes the importance of preoperative screening for psychological factors related to pain, particularly fear of movement. Such screenings have the potential to identify patients who could benefit from targeted interventions, ultimately promoting healthier postoperative movement behavior and enhancing overall health outcomes.