Comparison of Early Postoperative Mobilization and Electrical Stimulation-Supported Rehabilitation on Functional Recovery After Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
In brief
Electrical stimulation improved pain and function after lumbar disc surgery
In a randomized trial of 60 adults, adding electrical stimulation to early mobilization three times weekly for 5 weeks led to greater improvements in pain, disability, walking, mobility, and strength than mobilization alone, with the clearest advantage in pain. The small trial measured only early recovery, so whether benefits last or change longer-term outcomes remains unknown.
- Journal
- American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation (Q1)
- Published
- 7 October 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Kadir Yıldırım, Oğuz Balkış, Mehmet Salih Tan
- PMID
- 42839315
- DOI
- 10.1097/PHM.0000000000003177
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Spine Surgery (paper of the day, 8 October 2026): Prospective RCT, early mobilization after lumbar discectomy
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare early mobilization alone versus early mobilization combined with electrical stimulation on functional recovery, pain, and mobility after lumbar disc herniation surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Sixty adults undergoing primary single-level lumbar discectomy were randomized to early mobilization alone (n=30) or early mobilization combined with NMES/TENS (n=30). Sessions were delivered three times weekly for 5 weeks. Outcomes included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and Manual Muscle Testing (MMT). RESULTS: Significant time × group interactions favored the combined group for ODI (F(1,58)=7.55, P=0.008, η²P=0.115), VAS (F(1,58)=74.53, P <0.001, η²P=0.562), TUG (F(1,58)=27.89, P <0.001, η²P=0.325), 10MWT (F(1,58)=26.71, P <0.001, η²P=0.315), and MMT (F(1,58)=15.33, P <0.001, η²P=0.209). The combined intervention produced greater improvements, especially in pain. CONCLUSION: Adding electrical stimulation to early mobilization significantly enhances early functional recovery, reduces pain, and improves mobility and strength after lumbar disc herniation surgery. This low-cost adjunct can be readily integrated into routine rehabilitation.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.